Inflation persists in Congo despite measures
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Loading... - Adam Sowah
- 29 Mar 2023
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The rise in food prices in the Republic of Congo continues despite the measures taken by the government to combat the high cost of living.
In October 2022, Brazzaville exempted imported products from customs duties before publishing a decree in December of the same year to "freeze the prices of basic necessities". These measures were welcomed by civil society, but the reality on the market is quite different.
"When the agents from the trade department arrive, they give their prices. But when their backs are turned the prices change. Mustard that used to cost 750 CFA francs is now 1500 CFA francs," exclaims a trader passionately.
"The traders should do a follow-up. While we were still paying customs, a bag cost 9500 F CFA, now that we have been exempted, it has risen to 14000 F CFA. The Congolese state is sovereign when it comes to setting prices, people have to carry them out," commented a housewife.
Food at a glance
In its latest update on food inflation, the World Bank points out that more than 90% of countries experienced inflation above 5% in September, and that the increase was much higher in food.
An increase of 18% for wheat between October 2021 and October 2022, 27% for maize and 10% for sunflower: prices that will remain high until the end of 2024, stresses the Washington-based institution, which is alarmed at the catastrophic situation of poor countries according to the french media Le Monde. Read More…
