Côte d’Ivoire Cuts Wholesale Fish Prices After Traders’ Protests

Côte d’Ivoire has agreed to reduce the wholesale price of cartons of horse mackerel and mackerel by 2,500 CFA francs following several days of protests by fish traders over rising costs, the government said on Thursday.

Under the agreement reached on October 22, the price of a 20-kilogram carton of the two fish species will fall from 33,000 to 30,500 CFA francs. The deal was negotiated in Abidjan-Plateau between importers, wholesalers, semi-wholesalers, retailers and consumer representatives under the supervision of Trade Minister Kalil Konaté.

The protests, including demonstrations by women traders in Abobo, a district of Abidjan, and in the western-central town of Daloa, reflected growing concerns about the cost of fish, an important source of protein for many Ivorian households. Some traders had threatened to suspend their activities amid rising purchase prices.

Konaté said the government’s priority was to reduce the cost of living and urged traders to resolve disputes through dialogue. The agreement is intended as a temporary measure while discussions continue on the broader pricing structure.

However, the reduction in wholesale prices does not automatically guarantee an equivalent decrease for consumers. Authorities plan to establish a monitoring commission to track the price adjustment throughout the distribution chain and assess whether the savings reach market stalls and households.

The government also announced plans to create an observatory to examine the costs and commercial margins of essential consumer goods. The proposed mechanism will bring together industry representatives and consumer associations to improve transparency in price-setting.

Ben Faly Soumahoro, president of the consumer group Le Réveil, welcomed the agreement as a provisional solution reached through dialogue. Marthe Kalé, head of the association representing frozen meat and fish importers in Côte d’Ivoire, also confirmed importers’ commitment to implementing the reduction.

The agreement could help ease tensions between traders and suppliers in the short term. Its broader impact on household budgets will depend on how consistently the lower wholesale prices are passed on to consumers and whether further negotiations produce a lasting solution to rising fish prices.