Nelson Manneh

Story: The FACTSHEET, was published by Foroyaa Newspaper, details how The Gambia's food prices soared between 2020-2024 due to its heavy reliance on food imports, a situation worsened by external factors like the COVID-19 Pandemic which caused global supply chain disruptions and increased prices for essential commodities like rice, oil, and sugar. The article highlights the growing hardship for Gambians as these essential food items became increasingly unaffordable. The Gambia imports most of its essential food commodities, including rice, sugar, flour, and cooking oil, making it vulnerable to global price fluctuations. Disruptions and increased logistics costs in the global supply chain contribute to higher import prices. Unpredictable rainfall, droughts, and floods negatively impact local agricultural production and yields. Food vendors cite the foreign exchange rate as a factor in high food prices. Poor roads and limited storage facilities hinder the movement of food, especially from rural areas, potentially leading to price increases. Some families have had to reduce meals from three to two per day to cope with rising costs. The government has reportedly intervened to support the sector by providing assistance to traders for rice imports

Published in: October 14, 2025