(LVDE) – According to the National Institute of Statistics (INS), this significant increase in production costs during the first three months of 2025 is mainly linked to rising costs in the manufacturing industry.
The first quarter of 2025 was marked by higher production costs in Cameroonian factories, resulting in a 6.3% rise in ex-factory prices, based on the latest figures published by the INS. This year-on-year increase raises concerns about the impact of inflation on the national economy.
The INS notes that the rise in prices is largely driven by the manufacturing industry, which posted a 1.6% increase. More specifically, the agrifood and metallurgy sectors were hit the hardest, with respective increases of 4% and 5.3%. These price hikes in key economic sectors are expected to affect consumers, as companies generally tend to pass on higher costs to retail prices.
This situation is fueling inflation in the markets. For the first half of 2025, Cameroon’s inflation rate stood at 4.1%, lower than the 5.7% recorded during the same period in 2024. However, this figure remains worrying, as it exceeds the 3% threshold set for the CEMAC zone, which includes Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, and the Central African Republic.
The INS recalls that the Cameroonian government aims to bring inflation down to 4% by the end of the year. However, this target depends on the management of several potential risks, including rising energy prices, fiscal adjustments, and geopolitical uncertainties that could affect the country’s economic stability.
Experts stress that in order to achieve this goal, it will be crucial to closely monitor fluctuations in production costs and to implement adequate measures to cushion their impact on consumers. The government’s ability to contain inflationary pressures will be key to maintaining the confidence of both consumers and investors.
The current situation also highlights the need for continuous dialogue between the government, producers, and consumers to find sustainable solutions to economic challenges. As Cameroon aspires to sustained economic growth, managing inflation and production costs will remain central issues in the coming months. Addressing this challenge is essential to ensuring economic stability that benefits all actors in society.
Esther Grace
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