The Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, has confirmed that beer prices in Cameroon remain unchanged unless substantiated evidence justifies an increase. He made this statement during a recent meeting with all stakeholders in the brewing sector. Attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Territorial Administration, the Ministry of Finance, the General Directorate of Taxes, the General Directorate of Customs, producers from the Cameroon Alcohol Producers’ Association (CAPA), members of the National Union of Distributors of Hygienic Drinks of Cameroon (Synasdibohycam), the National Union of Operators of Drinking Places of Cameroon (Synedeboc), the president of the National Consumer Council, and consumer rights associations.
The minister stated that the meeting aimed to address the desire for a unilateral price increase expressed by certain unions within the sector. He reiterated that beer prices have not changed, highlighting that beer is sold at varying prices across different locations and snack bars within the country.
“When you have a fever, you don’t treat it by breaking the thermometer,” said Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana. A statement from the ministry criticized actors who focus solely on prices to the detriment of addressing structural issues, describing this attitude as sheer “hypocrisy.” The minister emphasized the lack of organization, consultation, and dialogue within the sector and reiterated that any price modification must follow a prior approval procedure supported by convincing documentation.
The meeting also covered the contractual relationships between producers and distributors. The minister pointed out that these contracts should result from balanced negotiations but are currently more akin to adhesion contracts, imposed on distributors without real room for negotiation.
The minister urged producers to provide evidence justifying the requested price increase, expressing his skepticism about its legitimacy, especially in a context where “the producer makes money.”
