Mauritanian authorities have initiated a comprehensive price monitoring campaign to counteract the impact of the Middle East conflict, particularly the surge in food item costs. This extensive effort aims to prevent merchants from inflating prices on essential goods such as rice, cooking oil, and sugar.
Tasked with this critical mission, numerous teams have been deployed across Nouakchott, with plans for gradual expansion into other regions nationwide. This broad operation is designed to “monitor market conditions, specifically tracking inventory levels, bolstering consumer protection, and combating various forms of fraud.”
Aissata Bâ, a marketing agent dealing with various food products, confirmed the current stability. “I offer a wide selection of imported items, including Kadi (broth), Jedida (butter), and Delia (chocolate),” she stated. “Currently, we have not adjusted our prices upwards.”
Consumers also attest to this stability. Fatimetou mint Ahmed, a local shopper, observed, “The prices for all basic necessities—oil, rice, sugar, milk—have remained unchanged. Despite some circulating rumors, no increases have been observed in the market.”
Mohamed ould Bouh, a local merchant, further corroborated these observations, asserting that “all prices are stable for now, and no market tensions are evident; the situation remains entirely calm.”
The rigorous controls implemented by the authorities ensure that unscrupulous merchants face severe penalties. In late March, Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Diay announced that authorities had closed and fined numerous non-compliant businesses. This action was part of the government’s broader initiative to regulate markets, combat anti-competitive practices, and prevent unjustified price increases.