Market Women at Zwedru Central Market Express Concern Over Escalating Prices; Attribute U.S. Exchange Rate as Primary Cause and Urge Government Intervention

Market Women at Zwedru Central Market Express Concern Over Escalating Prices; Attribute U.S. Exchange Rate as Primary Cause and Urge Government Intervention

Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County – June 17, 2025
By: Esther Natelia Scott

Market women at the Zwedru Central Market are voicing significant concerns regarding the sharp increase in commodity prices, attributing the rising U.S. dollar exchange rate as a major driver behind the inflation. They are urgently calling on the Liberian government to intervene and stabilize the market, thereby protecting struggling traders.

During a visit to the market, several women traders expressed frustration over the growing difficulty in maintaining their businesses due to escalating prices of essential goods. Chief among their concerns is the cost of a 25-kilogram bag of rice, which has risen from LRD 3,500 to LRD 3,800 in recent weeks.

“The U.S. exchange rate continues to appreciate, and everything in the market is affected by this fluctuation,” said one of the traders. “From rice to oil, pig feet drums, everything we sell is impacted. We are no longer generating profits.”

Another commonly used item, the pig feet drum, has also seen a price increase—from USD 130 to USD 140. The traders assert that this hike is directly linked to the weakening of the Liberian dollar against the U.S. dollar, which continues to climb steadily on the local market.

Many of the women, who rely on daily sales to feed their families and pay school fees, claim that they are now selling at a loss and watching their small businesses slowly collapse. Customers, too, are buying less due to the high costs, further exacerbating the situation for vendors.

“We are experiencing immense difficulties in the market,” one woman said. “Our children are hungry, and we cannot continue under these circumstances. The government needs to take this matter seriously and implement effective measures to address our concerns.”

The market women are pleading with national authorities to implement economic measures that will help regulate the exchange rate and reduce inflation, particularly for essential goods.

As the U.S. dollar continues to dominate transactions in Liberia, small business owners and low-income earners are increasingly feeling the squeeze. The situation at Zwedru Central Market reflects a broader national concern about the cost of living, one that demands urgent government attention.