In Congo-Brazzaville, the soaring price of peanut oil worries housewives

The stalls at the Poto-Poto market in Brazzaville.

(Drawing).

AFP PHOTO/JUNIOR D. KANNAH

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

Congo-Brazzaville is bearing the brunt of the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In this Central African country of 5 million inhabitants which imports food for 500 to 700 billion FCFA per year, the price of peanut oil continues to climb.

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With our correspondent in Brazzaville,

Loïcia Martial

Marianne Koudissa, a 34-year-old housewife who lives in the “Plateau des 15 ans” district, returned from the market very scandalized by the price of peanut oil, which had increased by more than 100%.

“ 

Getting peanut oil is a problem.

The price has gone up too much and we can't make it anymore.

Usually we bought a liter of oil at 850 FCFA, sometimes even at 700 FCFA, but currently it is at 1,900 FCFA or even 2,000 FCFA.

Suddenly, it's a total upheaval

 , ”she laments.

Peanut oil, imported from Singapore, Malaysia or Europe, is the most used in Congolese cuisine.

Palm oil is often used only in the cooking of cassava leaves, commonly called Saka-Saka.

Once well stocked, the small shop of Claudia Ngakosso, located in a district far from the city center, is now empty.

“ 

My store has nothing left because the prices of all products on the market have gone up,

” she explains.

It is difficult to buy and resell.

This is the case with peanut oil.

Usually we bought a 25 liter can of oil at

15,000 or

16,500 FCFA.

Today, it amounts to 40,000

FCFA.

It's too expensive.

 »

The prices of wheat flour, butter or even pasta are also experiencing a surge which has prompted the government to set up an aid program whose mission is, among other things, to finance stocks of basic foodstuffs and other products. first need.

► To read also: Congo-B: the soaring prices of basic necessities worry merchants and buyers

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