The observation is clear: the prices of frozen fish and meat are soaring on the markets of Kinshasa. An economic reality that directly impacts the wallets of consumers, already weakened by the uncertainties hanging over the Congolese economy.
The vendors of fresh food who spoke on the airwaves of Fatshimetrie vigorously denounce the ineffectiveness of government measures announcing a drop in the prices of these foodstuffs. The latter note with bitterness that the prices are on the rise, jeopardizing the purchasing power of households.
A vendor testifies with desolation: a box of meat that usually sold for 90,000 Congolese francs is now displayed at 120,000 FC. Households are also seeing the prices of pork chops climb significantly, going from 62,000 to 70,000 FC for a 10 kg box. The guts are not left out, now reaching the sum of 73,000 FC instead of 63,000 FC.
The observation is alarming: the government’s speech is struggling to translate into concrete actions on the ground. The promises of price reductions remain dead letters, leaving vendors helpless in the face of prices that continue to climb.
Faced with this worrying situation, voices are being raised to demand sanctions against those who contravene the price regulation policy put in place by the authorities. The consequences of this surge in prices on the daily lives of Congolese households cannot be ignored.
It is time for actions to match words, for government measures to materialize on the ground to relieve households and restore purchasing power to the population. The stakes are high, and the responsibility of decision-makers is essential to guarantee equitable access to healthy and affordable food for all.