Some 500 bags of rice have been seized, and some shops have been shut down by the Centre Regional Delegation of Trade for inflating the price of the staple.
The measure aimed to ensure traders comply with the new rice prices set by the Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana.
Minister Atangana recently instituted new prices for rice sold in the country after negotiations with importers.
To enforce these measures, a regional fraud and repression brigade was established to monitor traders engaging in exploitative practices.
“The objective is to guarantee the application of the new rice prices, the result of arduous negotiations with operators in the sector, and the arrival on the market of the first cargoes resulting from the special quota of 190,000 metric tons negotiated with the Indian Government,” stated the Ministry.
“While the prices revised by the Minister of Commerce on April 11, 2024, had to be respected on market stalls, some traders are trying to circumvent these measures by citing the need to sell off their existing stocks. However, the determination of the Ministry of Commerce teams was unequivocal,” it added.
Despite the revised prices implemented on April 11, 2024, some traders attempted to circumvent these measures by citing the need to sell off existing stocks.
However, the ministry’s determination to enforce compliance was resolute.
During a recent operation in markets in Yaounde, the commerce delegation seized over 500 bags of rice and closed numerous shops, sending a clear message to offenders.
According to Alain Romuald Nama, the Centre Regional Delegate of Commerce, this seizure underscores the commitment of enforcement teams to track down non-compliance with official prices.
“In these times of galloping inflation, the government, through the Ministry of Commerce, is trying to mitigate the effects on consumers by lowering the prices of necessities,” said Nama.
Minister Atangana has pledged to continue crackdowns on businesses that fail to comply with the new prices and has encouraged citizens to report price manipulation by calling 1502.
In efforts to stabilise rice prices, Cameroon negotiated the import of 190,000 metric tonnes of rice with the Indian government. Consequently, the Ministry of Commerce established new prices for various types of rice in cities like Yaounde and Douala.
Despite these measures, some traders persist in exploiting consumers by selling old stock at inflated prices.
Below are the new prices of rice set by the Ministry of Trade.
