Government rice sales campaigns in Cameroon frustrate local traders

By Synthia Lateu

Rice traders in Douala have expressed frustration over poor sales recorded since the start of government led promotional rice sales across the country .

The product is being sold through the Ministry of Commerce at 15,000 FCFA per 50 kg bag. This initiative, officials said, was launched to ease the financial burden on households facing rising food costs.

Consumers welcome the discounts, like Sonia Fotso, who, well-stocked for a long time, does not foresee returning to the markets soon for rice purchases. Many particularly in Yaoundé and Douala, are buying rice in large quantities at drastically reduced prices.

Meanwhile, local market vendors have seen a sharp decline in sales since the campaigns began. They are struggling to compete as customers are attracted by the promotional prices, severely affecting revenues of market rice traders.

“The rice put on the market by the ministry is drowning people there. People have stocked up their homes with the rice, and now ours is remaining unsold,” said Douala rice vendor Christelle. She added that they cannot lower their prices, as that would lead to losses. They also wish to benefit from these price reductions when purchasing from major importers.

Another trader in the economic capital, Jacques Yonkeu, expressed doubt over the rice quality, explaining that 50 kg of good rice is 35,000 FCFA, making it challenging to understand the 10,000 FCFA difference. He suggested that if the state wants to help Cameroonians, they should make rice generally affordable on the market.

However, in a release on January 29, the Minister of Commerce, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, stated that the rice is legally imported and has all the necessary documentation required regarding product quality and compliance with standards. “It can therefore be consumed with complete peace of mind,” he affirmed.

Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana added that it is up to the promoter of the sales to take all necessary legal actions against the “detractors” of the product.