(Business in Cameroon) - In the city of Garoua, capital of Cameroon’s northern region, the price of orange increased by more than 50% in recent days, due to the collapse of Gouloungou bridge which links Cameroon to Nigeria. According to L'œil du Sahel which revealed the news, the 100-kg bag once traded at CFA20,000 now costs CFA32,000 CFA francs.

Local sources said, although the northern, far north and Adamaoua regions also have large orange plantations, populations have a preference for fruits from Nigeria which are much juicier and sweeter. In these regions, orange import from the neighboring country increases especially in dry season.

Estimate from the regional delegation of the trade ministry for the northern part showed that 29,373 100-kg bags valued at about CFA450 million were imported from Nigeria in the first half of 2018, according to L'œil du Sahel.

The price might grow further, given the intense smuggling activity along the border with Nigeria in these regions.

Brice R. Mbodiam