Just seven months after the application of the new prices, the commodity which has become almost unobtainable in certain localities, experienced an increase in its cost which went from 1025 CFA francs to 1150 CFA francs and even 1200 francs at the level of retailer stores. in certain localities.
The paradox that consumers’ complaints about the high price observed on the product come up against the crucial lack of information from retailers about the increase observed. Because the owners of the neighborhood shops expose an increase in the costs of the product on the side of the wholesalers, who in turn, index an increase in the prices of the commodity at the level of their suppliers in Dakar and Touba.
The observation is there, from 21,200 CFA francs to 19,500 CFA francs last June after the revision of its prices, the 20 liter can of oil currently costs between 21,500 CFA francs, even 22,000 francs and even 23,000 francs. Which increases the price of a liter of oil from 1025 CFA francs to 1150 francs and even 1200 francs.
Commenting on this situation of increase observed in the price of oil in the region, the regional inspector of internal trade announced that his services are for the moment in a phase of regulation and communication so that consumers are aware that it is not an increase that comes from the State, but rather from the international market.
“There is an increase in oil prices, but it must be noted from the outset that this is due to an increase in the price of oil at the international level. This is a situation that is not at all specific only to the Matam region. It is the situation of the international market which dictates its law at the level of the importing countries and which in turn affects the regions of the country.” U
Once this increase was noted, “we took the initiative of informing wholesalers and retailers to supply the market to avoid a possible shortage. Wholesalers, semi-wholesalers and retailers were made aware of the increase which has repercussions on prices at the level of the internal market, the urgent need to supply the market to avoid a possible shortage and the respect of the profit margins that the decree of June 24 had fixed, to at least regulate this speculation on oil products,” he said.
In the opinion of the regional head of internal trade, the actions that have been carried out have led to “proper supply of the market”, with the aim of guiding traders to avoid excessive speculation.
On this subject, the regional trade inspector, Amar Sylla, assures “that we will have to look at the purchase invoices which come from the different zones and locate the margins which can be applied to supervise the traders and contain this increase”.
