Meetings between the Minister of Trade and major suppliers kicked off in Yaounde yesterday, November, 14, 2013.

Bad practices like price hikes due to artificial scarcity or shortage of basic commodities during festive periods will soon be a thing of the past. Prior to end of year feasts and the beginning of year celebrations, the Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, is bent to reverse the trend.

To make sure that basic commodities are available and sold at homologated prices, the Minister invited producers and distributors of the commodities as well as regulatory bodies and consumers' right defenders to set records straight. During a series of meetings held yesterday, November 14, 2013 in Yaounde, he encouraged producers and distributors to form associations and contact the ministry any time there is a problem. Discussing with the sugar sector stakeholders, the producers and distributors like SOSUCAM, SOACAM and FOKOU confirmed that there is enough sugar to last between now and January 1st, 2014.

According to the Commercial Director of SOSUCAM, Ntsama, his company produces between 650 and 700 tonnes and production is expected to increase to 800 tonnes from January 2014 since they have enough resources. This year, Ntsama noted, about 90,000 tonnes have been imported so far to cover the demand supply gap.

Though the prices of a kilogramme of sugar in cubes fluctuate between FCFA 650 and FCFA 700 in supermarkets, retailers sell dearer in neighbourhoods using transportation costs as excuse. Some distributors argued that a bag of powder sugar sells at FCFA 27,000 but they are obliged to add FCFA 2,000 to cover transportation costs since they get their supplies from the factory. They enjoined producers to create sales points in town in order to solve transportation problems.

Also concerned are fish, rice and poultry sectors that place consumers at the losing end during speculation. Measures to make sure the commodities are available and affordable equally preoccupies the Ministry of Trade. Flour, salt, crude and refined palm oil, beef, pork, wine, spirit and carbonated drinks will also be at the centre of discussion. The ministry will take precautions to avoid shortage of basic commodities by lacking sectors.