Ministry of Trade Enforces Price Reductions on Rice in Cameroon

The primary objective of the operation was to verify whether rice vendors were adhering to the new price regulations set by the Minister of Trade. While the majority of operators were found to be in compliance with the new prices, several violators were identified and subsequently faced sanctions.

Seized bags of rice, which were being sold at prices above the legal limit, have since been made available to consumers at the regulated prices. Starting from Monday, April 22, 2024, these bags of rice have been sold at the approved prices at the Esplanade of the Regional Delegation of Trade in the West.

The Ministry of Trade announced significant price reductions for various types of rice:

• Indian rice: Prices have decreased by an average of 70 to 90 FCFA/kg.
• Pakistani rice: Prices have decreased by an average of 20 to 50 FCFA/kg.
• Thai rice: Prices have decreased by an average of 15 to 50 FCFA/kg.

These price reductions are applicable across all cities in the country, taking into account transportation costs. Control teams have been instructed to rigorously enforce these new tariffs to ensure their effective implementation in the field, with a focus on safeguarding the interests of consumers.

The Ministry of Trade's initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on consumers while fostering a fair and transparent trading environment within the rice market.