Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, the Gambia’s Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, recently discussed the average wholesale and retail prices of essential food commodities as of March 4th, highlighting some notable changes.

According to Minister Joof, while most commodities showed increased stock levels in March, there was a general stability in wholesale prices, except for a few items that experienced slight increases. Rice, for example, saw an average price of $2,150 per 50 kilograms, marking a 16.2% change. Sugar also saw an increase, with the average price rising from $2,750 to $2,850 per 50 kilograms, representing a 3.6% increase.

Flour, onions, whole chicken, and chicken legs experienced varying price changes. Flour prices increased slightly by 0.4%, while onion prices rose by 4.2%. The average price of a whole chicken decreased by 2.6%, while chicken legs saw a 4.7% increase in price.

Cement, an essential commodity for the construction industry, experienced a significant increase, rising from 375 Dalasi per bag to 410 Dalasi, a 9.3% increase.

The Minister attributed these price hikes to international factors, noting that international prices of rice, sugar, and edible oil have been on the rise since December. For instance, the price of Thailand A1 rice increased by 3.7% from December 2023 to January 2024, while the world price of sugar declined slightly during the same period.

Regarding Indian rice, which is imported by Gambian suppliers, the negotiated concessional price increased from $405 to $490 per metric ton. This increase reflects the changing dynamics of international trade and negotiations.

Despite these price hikes, Minister Joof assured the public that the Gambia has sufficient stocks of essential food commodities to meet demand. However, he emphasized the importance of monitoring international prices and local market conditions to ensure stability and affordability for consumers.