Goal is to seek sustainable solutions

In response to rising rice prices, which have exceeded 4,000 MGA (0.85 USD) per kilo on the market, consumer dissatisfaction is at its peak. Therefore, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has a month and a half to reduce costs, at least for imported rice, by the President’s advice.

Currently, the dialogue between the ministry, traders, and industry stakeholders is at its peak. The Regional Directorate of Industrialization and Commerce (DRIC) of Toamasina organized a meeting with traders to establish a fair price for both local and imported rice.

We eagerly await the report from this meeting. However, before this meeting, the Ministry of Industrialization and Commerce (MIC), through its Director General of Commerce, Isidore Razanakoto, had already held discussions with all rice importers in the port city. Both parties worked to balance costs and benefits to arrive at fair tariffs. « The profit generated from the sale and importation of rice must be reasonable », stated Jean Berch-mans Belalahy, Regional Director of Atsinanana.

In this perspective, the responsible Minister, David Ralambofiringa, and the relevant officials have studied the strategy to follow and the sustainable solutions. The goal is to perfect the supply chain and establish stable and fair tariffs that meet consumer expectations.

« The MIC remains attentive to fluctuations in rice prices nationwide while urging stakeholders in the sector to refrain from excessive profits », said Minister David Ralambofiringa during the first government meeting of the year, held in Iavoloha. Additionally, various regional offices across the country are also organizing meetings with rice producers. The objective is to seek sustainable solutions so that everyone can benefit.