In 2024, Cameroonian consumers and vendors experienced price volatility for staple goods like wheat, rice, corn, fish, and meat.In response to the pressure, sellers increased prices on a range of essential food items.In 2024, the price of wheat experienced a significant increase. Faced with pressure, bakers and retailers decided to add 25 to 50 francs to the price of a loaf of bread. Some reduced the weight while maintaining prices.The Cameroon Bakers' Association announced that the price of a bag of flour has surged to 22,500 francs, a significant increase from the previous price of 19,500 francs.According to the Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO), global prices of all major cereals have surged worldwide.Le prix du kilogramme de riz a été revu à la hausse, passant de 500 francs à 650 francs le kilogramme.Rice prices have surged, with the cost of a kilogram rising from 500 francs to 650 francs.The sharp increase in essential food items has impacted not only imported goods but also locally produced commodities such as tomatoes and onions. The price of a quarter kilogram of tomatoes has risen from 5,000 francs to 7,500 francs. Meanwhile, chicken and egg prices have soared in marketplaces, with chicken prices ranging from 4,500 to 5,000 francs and eggs selling for 2,500 to 2,800 francs, representing a per-unit increase of 100 to 125 francs.The price of a box of peanuts has risen by 100 francs, joining the list of commodities affected by the price hike. Refined oil prices have surged, with a liter now costing 1,500 francs, up from 1,100 francs previously.The price of a bag of corn in the northern region of the country has surged from 20,000 francs to over 25,000 CFA francs.The price surge in 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including climate conditions, particularly unfavorable weather, high costs of animal feed, fodder, and other inputs, high import prices, and the high cost of corn, the increase in transportation and fuel costs.The skyrocketing prices of household essentials in 2024 have taken a toll on consumer spending, forcing consumers to look to the Cameroonian government for a solution.In response to the price hike, the Cameroonian government has put in place measures to combat inflation: promote local products, and decrease import substitution, including the implementation of green substitute agriculture.For the year 2025, the Cameroonian government plans to implement more strategies to boost local production, with the aim of reducing the annual expenditure on importing flour and wheat.

Christelle koambi