Since the beginning of 2017, fish has been a rare commodity in most house holds around the country. House wives have been complaining of severe increase in prices of imported frozen fish in local markets .
"...Two months back, a kilogram of machoiron which was sold for 850frs has gone up to 1000frs, the most consumed variety of fish, Marquereau is sold at 1300frs instead of the 1100fsr few months back...with this situation, it becomes very difficult for us to make good business since costumers turn to prefer vegetables...." Alain Kuam, a cold store owner at the Nsam market in Yaoundé told Cameroon Concord.
Consumers on their parts have been so bitter about the situation accusing the government for not taking adequate measures to avert the economic crisis."....It is difficult to fine chicken in the market and even when you see it, the price is too high to the point that it can 'break one's neck' more to that, meat is meant for the rich because its very expensive and some of us low income earners resorted in eating fish but price hikes is already sending us away... 'Chaii mr Biya' lamented Marry Ngong, a house wife."
The inflation which has hit the fish sector,..."is not due to scarcity because our freezers are full with varieties of imported fish but business is very slow. A supplier told us..."
The main cause of the hike is the reintroduction of 5% customs duties in the 2017 finance law on imported frozen fish. Since the start of this year, importers have been struggling to adapt to this new market rule. A customs officer hinted us. He added that, reintroducing this tax is not aimed at encouraging local aquaculture which is developing at a snail pace but rather because it has come to the notice of officials that fish hitherto imported into Cameroon free of customs charges was re-exported to neighbouring countries of the sub region meanwhile prices in local markets remain very high. But this custom official reiterated that this action is just a pretext to curb the illicit trade deal and the impact should not fall on consumers.
