Mozambique: Traders threaten to increase the price of coconuts

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Mozambique: Traders threaten to increase the price of coconuts

2:10 CAT | 10 Mar 2025

File photo: Noticias

Traders at the Fajardo Market in Maputo city are threatening to increase the price of coconuts in response to the high fees imposed for occupying the stalls, which are compromising the profitability of the business.

Mário José, a 35-year-old trader, explained that initially the fees charged were proportional to the quantity of the product, but now the amount has become fixed, harming sellers of small quantities.

“Each seller pays 500 meticais for a thousand coconuts. However, those in charge no longer count the product and, even if the number is less than a thousand, we are forced to pay the full fee,” he said.

Alice das Dores, another vendor, said that, despite several attempts to meet with the traders’ association to discuss the possibility of adjusting the fee, negotiations were unsuccessful. Given the situation, he indicated that it will be necessary to increase prices to ensure the viability of the business.

“The amount of coconuts I currently sell varies between 200 and 300, but even so, I am forced to pay 500 meticais. I practically only work to cover the fees. This is unfair,” she lamented.

The president of the vendors’ association, Maria Cumbane, maintained that the fee is fair and explained that traders are charged 50 cents for each coconut, with the sale price of this product being between 10 and 20 meticais per unit.

“We recognize that it is difficult to count the product, which is why we charge 500 meticais for a thousand coconuts. Even when the quantity exceeds this amount, many refuse to pay more. And if the quantity is less, it is not worth continuing in the market,” she explained.

Cumbane added that the price adjustment occurs every ten years and stressed that it is necessary to establish a dialogue between vendors and stall owners to define a minimum quantity of 1,000 coconuts, to avoid future complaints.

Source: Noticias