Government launches promotional sales to mitigate food prices surge

As Cameroon grapples with the rising cost of living, the government is trying to alleviate the financial strain on citizens through promotional sales by offering food to the public at discounted prices.

The Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Atanga, through a press release on Monday, March 18, encouraged the population that the government will be selling some foodstuffs at very affordable prices.

According to the release, the Minister of Trade “has the honour to inform the general public that in the execution of the very high instructions of the hierarchy, in a context of the continued rise in prices of food products internationally and of the persistence of inflationary tensions, promotional sales operations for mass consumption foodstuffs, conducted and supervised by its Ministerial Department, continue on the ground, throughout the national territory, under the responsibility of the locally competent services of the Ministry of Commerce.”

Residents of Yaounde are specifically encouraged to explore promotional sales at designated locations such as the May 20 Boulevard, Carrefour MEEC, and the Esplanade, among others.

The Minister emphasised that these sales follow a similar pattern to previous editions, where consumers could purchase goods directly from producers, importers, or manufacturers at reduced prices, bypassing intermediaries

The promotional sales, this time, coincide with the Ramadan period and the Easter holidays.

The sale will last until April 16, 2024. One of the products that will be sold is beef. 

It will be sold at the promotional prices of FCFA 2,500/kg for boneless meat and FCFA 2,000/kg for meat on the bone.

“The Minister of Trade, therefore, invites consumers to take full advantage of this great opportunity,” said Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana.

The initiative comes as prices of foodstuff keep surging in the country amid general inflation.

In February, the government increased the prices of petrol and diesel for the second time in one year, prompting a surge in transportation cost and the prices of basic commodities.

© Mimi Mefo Info