The Association for the Protection and Guidance of Consumers and their Environment (APOCE) has called for the application of Article 5 of Decree No. 03-03 of July 19, 2003 relating to competition, amended and supplemented by law n° 10-05 (dated August 15, 2010). According to the same source, this measure will help regain control over the prices of agricultural products. Especially fruits and vegetables.
Indeed, these days this category of products has experienced an unprecedented surge! Moreover, this is the case even for fruits and vegetables of the winter season. To tell the truth, there are many Algerian citizens who cannot afford these products which are overpriced. Thus, many of them ended up giving up these essential products to maintain a balanced diet and good health.
As the month of Ramadan approaches, posted prices are likely to increase further. You are aware that the demand for fruits and vegetables increases during the holy month. No doubt, Ramadan will be an opportunity for “pseudo traders” to further increase prices. As a result, APOCE was quick to react. As indicated above, Apoce has called for the implementation of article 5 relating to competition.
Soaring prices of agricultural products: APOCE reacts
Through a press release published on its official Facebook page, APOCE gave more details on article 5 of decree n° 03-03. According to the aforementioned association, the application of the said article makes it possible to control prices. And thus put an end to the disorder in the fruit and vegetable market which has visibly affected the purchasing power of the Algerian consumer.
In this wake, it should be noted that the article in question stipulates the establishment of reference prices. This with a profit cap for each product. Indeed, this measure is carried out according to the suggestions of the other sectors, one can read on the press release. According to the same document, this operation is possible to fight against speculation.
Or in the event of an extraordinary spike in commodity prices. Indeed, Internet users have greatly appreciated this initiative. Moreover, they hope that this law can be applied. In this sense, it seemed important to us to quote the prices of some products that are overpriced. In particular, beans (520 DA/ kg), peas (300 DA/ kg), tomato (175 DA/ kg) and lettuce (160 DA/ kg).
