Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY62
2008-01-22 15:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
PRICE OF FLOUR EXPLODES IN GUINEA
how-toVZCZCXRO8088 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0062 0221553 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 221553Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2094 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000062
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR LAURIE ANN AGAMA
COMMERCE FOR SALIHA LOUCIF
E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: ECIN EFIN ECON GV
SUBJECT: PRICE OF FLOUR EXPLODES IN GUINEA
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000062
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR LAURIE ANN AGAMA
COMMERCE FOR SALIHA LOUCIF
E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: ECIN EFIN ECON GV
SUBJECT: PRICE OF FLOUR EXPLODES IN GUINEA
1. Post has independently confirmed the press report of a
significant increase in the price of flour this week. The local
press reported that the price of the 50 kg sack of flour went from
34.80 USD (150,000 GnF) to 48.83 USD (210,000 GnF) in just one week.
This represents a 40% increase in the price of flour, and if
projections are accurate, a reported increase in the price of a loaf
of bread from 27 cents USD (1200 GnF) to 37 cents USD (1600 GnF.)
2. COMMENT. This is a significant event on the streets in Guinea,
as bread and rice are basic staples of the Guinean diet. With a per
capita income of about 1 USD per day, any increase in the cost of
staple goods forces consumers to choose between competing priorities
in their daily struggle to live here in Conakry. Economic hardship
is a persistent underlying problem contributing to the country's
continued political tensions. END COMMENT.
CARTER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR LAURIE ANN AGAMA
COMMERCE FOR SALIHA LOUCIF
E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: ECIN EFIN ECON GV
SUBJECT: PRICE OF FLOUR EXPLODES IN GUINEA
1. Post has independently confirmed the press report of a
significant increase in the price of flour this week. The local
press reported that the price of the 50 kg sack of flour went from
34.80 USD (150,000 GnF) to 48.83 USD (210,000 GnF) in just one week.
This represents a 40% increase in the price of flour, and if
projections are accurate, a reported increase in the price of a loaf
of bread from 27 cents USD (1200 GnF) to 37 cents USD (1600 GnF.)
2. COMMENT. This is a significant event on the streets in Guinea,
as bread and rice are basic staples of the Guinean diet. With a per
capita income of about 1 USD per day, any increase in the cost of
staple goods forces consumers to choose between competing priorities
in their daily struggle to live here in Conakry. Economic hardship
is a persistent underlying problem contributing to the country's
continued political tensions. END COMMENT.
CARTER