Crise du poisson à Kaffrine : Prix exorbitants et désespoir des familles en plein Ramadan
In Kaffrine, Ramadan 2025 is synonymous with a food crisis that is hitting households hard. In the markets, fish, a staple of the local diet, is scarce and unaffordable. The cause: a glaring lack of conservation infrastructure, exacerbating an already tense situation.
A market with sparse stalls
It's past noon at the Kaffrine central market. Under a blazing sun, the stalls, usually overflowing with fresh fish, offer only a few half-full basins. The salty smell has given way to a heavy atmosphere. Ibrahima, a well-known fishmonger, makes no secret of his dismay: "We're helpless. Fish arrives in too small quantities from the coast, and without cold storage here, we have to sell everything within a day. Otherwise, it's a lost cause."
For him, this structural problem, which has never been resolved, is at the heart of the crisis. "With the high demand during Ramadan, we sell at a high price when there is some, but often, there isn't enough for everyone," he explains. The potential losses push wholesalers to inflate prices, making this basic product inaccessible to many.
A desperate quest for housewives
Adji Wagne, a housewife, has been pacing the market for over an hour, in vain. "Ramadan is the time to feed your family well, but right now, it's impossible. Even when I find fish, the prices are prohibitive," she sighs, her face marked with fatigue. At her side, Fatou Dicko and Awa Ndao share this daily struggle. "We come at dawn, but often, there's nothing. And when there is, it's too expensive for a decent meal," confides Fatou, resigned.
Awa also laments the quality: "Without preservation, the fish arrives damaged. But for lack of anything better, we buy it anyway." Faced with this shortage, alternatives such as meat (4,000 FCFA per kilo) or chicken (3,500 FCFA) remain just as unaffordable for families already struggling.
An urgent solution: cold rooms
For Ibrahima, the answer is obvious: "Cold rooms in Kaffrine would allow fish to be stored for several days and stabilize prices." He calls on local and national authorities to invest in modern infrastructure. "Without this, the suffering will continue. We need actions, not words," he insists.
A tense Ramadan
As the day draws to a close, the last fish are selling for high prices under a scorching sun. For many, breaking the fast will be done with little, awaiting a miracle before the end of the blessed month. In Kaffrine, between despair and resilience, the fish crisis is putting families to the test, revealing the urgent need for a lasting solution.
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