© RFI / Laetitia Bezain
On the Analakely market, in Antananarivo.
Faced with soaring prices for certain foodstuffs, the Malagasy State has just set ceiling prices for the sale of several basic necessities and everyday consumables. Sugar, flour, rice, oil, gas or cement: these products, mostly imported, should now be sold at a lower price than they are today. A special procedure, permitted by Law 2018-20 governing competition, which authorizes the government to intervene on prices in the event of lasting market supply difficulties. The measure, taken in consultation with the actors of the trade, should be felt on the purchasing power of households.
with our correspondent in Madagascar, Sarah Tetaud
In the aisles of the Analakely market, customers are scarce. And when they stop in front of the stalls, the usual negotiations come to an end… so much the prices have risen like the oil that Sarah Lantoniaina, retailer of basic necessities sells, went from 8,000 to 10,000 ariary.
For Sarah, who is also the president of the pavilions of Analakely, the fixing of prices announced on Tuesday by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Consumption, is perhaps the solution to relaunch market attendance.
« For two months, prices have started to rise little by little. This Malagasy oil, it has taken 25% since February. Limiting food prices can really change everything. Provided, on the other hand, that everyone plays the game. Because if, for example, wholesalers continue to sell at high prices and we, retailers, are forced to lower prices, then I will make the decision to withdraw these products. of the sale rather than selling them at a loss. »
During the consultation meetings, the operators made a commitment to import and supply the market, despite the ceiling price imposed. At the same time, merchants insisted that sanctions be taken once morest colleagues who do not respect the new tariffs.
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Michela Andriamadison, Director of Consumer Protection, within the Ministry of Industrialization, Commerce and Consumption reassures. ” In the event of non-compliance with the measures provided for by the decree, the ministry is entitled to withdraw the operating authorizations or even to have the store or establishment closed. »
400 controllers will be responsible for carrying out field checks throughout the territory, as soon as the new tariffs are applied, scheduled for next Monday. The price-fixing decree should be taken today by the Council of Ministers, for a period of three months, renewable.