Price of beef shoots up in Maroua

Since Monday, consumers have had to pay 200 F extra to purchase a kilogram of meat in Maroua. Because of the increase in price per kilogram of beef, consumers now buy it at 2,000 F instead of 1,800F. Beef with bones is now sold at 1,800 F instead of 1600 F.

According to consumers, this increase comes as a surprise to them as they did not get any prior information before these new rates came into force; they only got to know of it at the slaughter house.

Ernest Ngock, an inhabitant of Maroua, did not hide his surprise: "I came with 2,000 F to buy half a kilogram of beef with bones. When the butcher handed me my change I noticed that there has been an increased but he explained that he had increased it three days earlier.

According to Hamadou Oumarou, a butcher in the central market of Maroua, the price of cow is rising. In the cattle market, we have to pay at least 300,000 F for a good cow, which cost a lot less not long ago. In the past, we bought a cow between 240, 000 and 250, 000 F. We are therefore, forced to slightly increase the price of a kilogram of beef to make some profit", he explained.

"Apparently, some traders cross the border to Nigeria to buy the cattle, even though the security situation at the borders is very delicate", continued the butcher.

The regional delegation of the trade of the far North has however noted that this increase is not legal. Merchants must comply with the price approved and comply with that until any changes are announced.