By Emmanuel Koffa
Barclayville, Grand Kru County –As the festive season approaches, marketers in Grand Kru County, Barclayville, have alarmed over what they called an astronomical increase in the prices of local commodities. The soaring prices have left many local business people worried about profit making, adding that their capitals are at risk.
“We have been seeing significant price increases on everything from rice, pepper cup, to cooking oil,” lamented Ester Toe, a local trader. “As a marketer, it is disheartening because we want our customers to be able to enjoy the holidays without breaking the bank, but we also have to cover our costs to remain in business.”
Among the commodities, the markers reported an increase in the price of a 25kg bag of rice. In a separate remark to Rural Reporters News Network on Monday, December 16, 2024, market women at the Barclayville general market reported significant increase in the prices of basic commodities, mainly the staple Liberian food, rice.
The bustling market, known for its sale of diverse range of goods, has seen a noticeable uptick in prices over the past few weeks-Essential items such as rice, clothing, and gift items have all been affected due to the hike in price. This situation has prompted discussions among marketers about strategies to stay afloat during the holiday season.
The Barclayville market women put the current prices of 25kg bags of rice to $4800/5000, with a cup of rice being sold for $80, while a cup of pepper is sold for $1000, gas is $1600, fuel is $1800. Additionally, the marketers have reported an increase in the cost of transportation to $7000 from Barclayville to Pleebo, Maryland County. They attributed this troubling trend to a combination of factors, including deteriorating road conditions, a scarcity of Liberian currency in circulation.
Some of the women are quoted as saying: “the increase in prices has been further exacerbated by the challenging state of infrastructure in the area, poor road conditions have impeded transportation and supply chains, making it harder for traders to stock their stores and deliver goods to customers in a timely manner”
According to them, with Christmas being a time of celebration and festivity, the financial strain is particularly heartbreaking for families who traditionally look forward to the holiday season- calling for urgent actions from the government to address the road challenges.
The marketers, mostly women, emphasized the need for better infrastructure, increased liquidity in the market, and measures to stabilize prices of essential goods. The rise in price of commodities like rice, pepper, gasoline and transportation are particularly concerning as the Christmas season is traditionally a time of increased consumer spending.
Families look forward to celebrating with special meals, gifts, and decorations, but the current condition may force some to adjust their plans. “People are already asking if they can find cheaper alternatives or limit their spending this year,” remarked Reta Koffa, another vendor at the market.
In response to the challenges, some marketers are exploring ways to offer promotions or discounts to attract customers. “We are trying to find a balance between affordability and making sure we can still make profit,” said Farta Collie, Barclayville Market Superintendent, noting, “If we want people to buy, we must find ways to make prices more appealing.”
While the hike in prices present a significant challenge, the resilience and creativity of the local market vendors shine through as they strive to ensure that Christmas remains a time of joy and celebration despite economic uncertainties.
