Senegal: the high cost of basic necessities at the center of discussions

Audio 01:22

Ouakam market, in Dakar, January 5, 2021 © Charlotte Idrac / RFI

Text by: RFI Follow

4 min

In Senegal, a National Consumer Council is convened this Tuesday, August 31 around the Minister of Commerce.

On the agenda: the price situation of basic products, rice, oil, sugar… According to the National Statistics Agency, consumer prices in July increased by 1.9% compared to the previous year. month of June.

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With our correspondent in Dakar,

Charlotte Idrac

The traditional Senegalese tea is necessarily drunk very sweet.

But at the moment, it's hard to find sugar in this market in the Ouakam district.

“

I was selling tea.

We increased the sugar.

It was difficult for me because I couldn't increase the price of the cup of tea.

Everything is increasing.

It doesn't suit anybody ...

 "

In his shop, this merchant has no explanations.

He himself buys his wholesale products more expensive.

"

The bag of scented rice, I sell it for up to 20,000 FCFA instead of 17,500. Local rice has gone from 13 to 14,000 and the 20-liter can of oil, from 14,500 to 14,000. to

24,000!

I don't know what the problem is and customers are complaining ...

 "

An increase linked to anti-Covid measures taken by the government, says economist Khadim Bamba Diagne.

According to him, bad news: the increase could continue.

“ 

It's very simple,” he

begins.

Last year, we took decisions on restrictions, we asked the Senegalese to stay at home.

The decline in economic activity has resulted in lower revenues for households but also for the State.

The only valid instrument that the state can use today is to increase the tax base.

Now, if we increase taxes, traders will pass this increase on to prices. 

"

Concerns at the heart of the National Consumer Council on Tuesday, to try to find solutions.

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  • Senegal

  • Food

  • Trade and distribution