Since President Adama Barrow came to power in 2017, the prices of many food commodities in The Gambia have continued to rise, putting increasing pressure on households. However, salt appears to be an exception, with a bag reportedly still selling for D200.
A young Gambian woman was reportedly surprised when she visited the market to buy salt and discovered that a bag cost just D200, raising questions about why its price has remained relatively unchanged while the cost of other essential food items continues to climb.
Much of the salt sold in local markets is harvested by Gambian women, many of whom work under the scorching sun to earn a living and support their families. For some, the income they generate helps provide for their children’s education and other household needs.
Despite the rising cost of living, the reported stability in salt prices stands out. Why has the price of salt remained at D200 while other food commodities have become more expensive?
For now, the reason remains unclear, leaving many to wonder what has kept the price of this essential household commodity from following the wider trend of rising food prices.