The government of Côte d'Ivoire has announced a reduction in the price of chinchard, a popular fish species, following protests from traders and consumers. The price of a carton of chinchard has been lowered from 36,500 FCFA to 31,500 FCFA. This move is aimed at alleviating the burden on consumers, particularly women traders, who had been struggling with the high cost of fish.
The decision was made after a meeting between the Interprofession de la filière pêche de Côte d'Ivoire (INTERPÊCHE), the ministry of commerce, and other stakeholders. According to Coulibaly Habdramane, director executive of INTERPÊCHE, the price reduction is a result of an adjustment in the pricing structure at different levels of the marketing chain. The importer will now sell the carton to the half-wholesaler at 30,500 FCFA, down from 33,000 FCFA.
The reduction in price is not limited to chinchard, as other fish species, including mackerel, will also benefit from the new measures. However, the price of tuna remains stable and is not a major concern for the authorities. The objective now is to examine the mechanisms of price formation to identify the factors responsible for the observed increases in prices.
The authorities and stakeholders in the fishing industry aim to determine the adjustments that can be made for other fish species consumed in Côte d'Ivoire. One of the issues raised is the cumulative nature of certain commercial activities by some operators, which can disrupt the organization of the market and complicate price control.
To ensure the effective implementation of the measures decided, a control system will be put in place. The central and regional directors, as well as inspectors from the ministry of commerce, will be responsible for monitoring the respect of the new dispositions. The goal is to ensure that the announced reduction is reflected in the distribution chain and benefits the traders concerned.
The implementation of the measures and the monitoring of prices will be crucial in assessing the results of this first government response. While the reduction in chinchard prices is a step forward, it does not resolve all the difficulties encountered in the fishing industry. INTERPÊCHE has announced that discussions will continue from October 26, 2026, to examine the prices of other fish species.
The discussions will involve importers presenting their invoices and necessary documents to evaluate the real costs of supply. The goal is to have verifiable data to understand the mechanisms of price formation and determine the adapted measures for each category of fish. Stakeholders have welcomed the dialogue and expressed confidence that a solution acceptable to all parties will be found.
Key points
- The government of Côte d'Ivoire has reduced the price of chinchard by 5,000 FCFA following protests from traders and consumers.
- The reduction in price is part of a broader effort to examine the mechanisms of price formation and determine adjustments for other fish species.
- The authorities have announced a control system to ensure the effective implementation of the measures decided.
