Promotional Sale Of Sugar Underway

George Mbella

20 June 2011

Sugar, a basic food item consumed in various forms in households, is once more becoming increasingly available in the main markets of Yaounde. In collaboration with major importers and wholesalers, the Ministry of Trade launched a promotional sale campaign for sugar yesterday June 20.

According to the Centre Regional Delegate for Trade, Derrick Jackai Mosima, packets of sugar will be retailed directly to consumers during the exercise at the unit price of FCFA 650 in 30 reference and mobile sales points spread out in the markets. “This is a measure to implement the Minister of Trade’s decision to import and make available 80,000 metric tonnes of sugar while awaiting the resumption of production by SOSUCAM next November,” he explained.

At the Mfoundi Market, a crowd of anxious buyers surrounded one of the promotional sales vans to obtain packets of sugar. “I bought two packets for my family at FCFA 650 each,” said Crescence Ambassa. To guard against any hoarding by traders, Derrick Jackai Mosima disclosed that monitoring teams had been dispatched throughout the city to ensure the strict respect of the FCFA 650 per kilogramme. He advised consumers to call the emergency telephone number 22 21 22 37 in case of any violation.

Last week, the Minister of Trade issued a press release announcing the importation of 14,434 metric tonnes of sugar this month and 14,383 metric tonnes in July, to supply the markets and prevent price hikes by some traders. The same press release also said that imports will continue until the main sugar producing company, SOSUCAM, resumes harvesting next November 1 after its normal annual break. To that effect, the Minister reminded consumers that the fixed price for SOSUCAM sugar is FCFA 650 per kilogramme while the Nosuca, Sumoca and Dethom brands all cost FCFA 700 per kilogramme. Granulated sugar, on the other hand, costs FCFA 550 per kilogramme.

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