Several Cameroonians faced with soaring prices, now buy their basic necessities in small quantities, packed in tiny bags for daily consumption few days to back to school. Before when prices were stable, parents could be seen purchasing basic commodities in bulk for their kids, but now things have changed.
Mr Fru Nde is a parent in Yaoundé, he says given the sharp rise in prices of basic commodities he is obliged to buy in smaller quantity unlike before.
“I used to buy things like rice, oil, water in bulk for my kids to go to school, but now things have changed. A bag of rice is very expensive. A cartoon of oil now is 26000 unlike before. I just have to buy in smaller quantity for it is cheaper.
To miss Evelyne Neh buying in smaller quantity is the only way to survive now.
“Given the increase in the prices of basic commodities, I will only buy in small quantity for my kids. Things like water, oil and milk I will get them in sachets, I have to reduce my expenditures.
The phenomenon has greatly affected vendors who mostly sell in bulk.
“Not everyone has money to buy in bulk, like if you want to buy mineral water and you don’t have money to buy in bulk you can only buy one sachet and drink. Things are too expensive says fabrice a vendor in Yaounde.” I used to sell just in bulk, but now I’m forced to sell in small quantity. It is back to school now and parents are still complaining, we hope things get better he insisted.”
Cameroonians have been hard hit by Corona virus, and the war in Ukraine which has greatly affected Cameroon’s economy. Before, people could buy items like, g-nut oil, Savon, toilet tissue in cartoons, but now it is different they just buy in bits.