This archive report was first published on 16 September 2021.
September 16, 2021, Kinshasa, DR Congo - Frozen chicken has become a staple in Kinshasa, where residents prefer its convenience and affordability over fresh poultry.
However, the government's promise to slash prices of basic necessities, including frozen goods, has been met with resistance from importers and wholesalers, leading to a surge in prices.
At Gambela market, a mother of three, Sandra, has had to forgo her usual 10-kg box of frozen chicken due to the increased prices.
"It used to be 42,000 Congolese francs ($21), now it's 56,000 ($28)," Sandra said, adding that she now buys frozen sausages and fries instead.
The city's dependence on imported frozen food is due to a lack of local produce, with the larger-scale agro-industry struggling to take off due to corruption.
Authorities claim importers are charging too much for frozen goods, deliberately underestimating their value to pay lower customs taxes, and then selling them to wholesalers at a real or inflated value.
The wholesalers then hoard the goods or slow down their sales to local shops, squeezing the supply of frozen produce on the market and causing prices to rise.
As one importer, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "Everyone is aware of what is going on," referring to the corrupt and opaque market.
After weeks of gridlock, the government has announced plans to buy frozen goods directly from exporters and distribute them to stores, cutting out the importers and wholesalers altogether.
