Africa-Press – Gambia. Market vendors in several urban markets have warned of an impending rise in the prices of basic food commodities as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.
With barely a month left before the start of the fast, traders – many of them single mothers – appealed to the government and business operators to regulate prices amid what they describe as a steady surge in the cost of essential goods.
At Bakoteh market, vendor Momodou Jallow said the price of staple items had risen sharply in recent weeks.
“I can tell you that business is very slow and things are expensive,” he said. “If the government does not take action, the situation will continue. There is no price control in the markets, and that affects small business owners and poor Gambians.”
Jallow cited current prices, noting that a 20-litre gallon of cooking oil now costs D2,200, Irish potatoes D850, onions D900, and sugar D2,300.
“Imagine buying all these goods and selling them — how can you make a profit as a family man?” he asked.
He said customers often fail to realise that vendors themselves are struggling with high wholesale prices.
“We cannot buy at high rates and sell cheaply. It becomes impossible to earn a profit or save. The way things are going, food commodities will be more expensive this year compared to previous years.”
Jallow also highlighted the burden of rising rent and taxes, saying many landlords demand six months’ advance payment. “We are facing a lot of difficulties in the business sector,” he added.
At the Latrikunda market, vendor Fatou Ceesay voiced similar concerns, saying food prices keep rising despite the availability of goods.
“I wonder what causes this situation every year,” she said. “There have been complaints upon complaints with no action. There is no profit in the business, but we cannot stay at home and watch our children suffer.”
Another vendor, Mariama Secka, urged the government to intensify price regulation to protect vulnerable families.
“To be honest, women suffer a lot in the market trying to feed their children,” she said. “Waking up early and sometimes going home with nothing is frustrating. For the country to remain peaceful, people need access to affordable food.”
She criticised what she described as inconsistent pricing in shops.
“It is disheartening to see the same cup of sugar or rice being sold at different prices even though they were bought at the same cost. Some shopkeepers take advantage of the lack of price control.”
Secka added that rising wholesale prices of vegetables were worsening their challenges.
“Purchasing expensive vegetables and ending the day with poor sales is a big problem for us,” she said.
The vendors called on the government and the Ministry of Trade to intervene and stabilise market prices ahead of Ramadan.
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