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Monrovia, Liberia | November 13, 2026 — Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah has pledged Government support to establish cold storage facilities at major markets in Monrovia by 2027 and conduct a detailed market assessment to address unfair trading practices and price disparities affecting vegetable producers.
This intervention follows longstanding complaints from farmers from rural parts of Liberia that people posing as middlemen dictate purchasing prices after they transport their produce to markets in Monrovia. Farmers also claim they are prevented from selling directly to consumers, leaving them with limited bargaining power.
Those supplying Gobachop Market in Paynesville have further alleged that middlemen impose unauthorized “ground fees,” interfere with the sale of produce, and intimidate sellers. Others say the lack of storage forces them to accept unfavorable prices rather than risk losing perishable produce.
Minister Nuetah said these concerns require a coordinated response that protects farmers’ livelihoods while ensuring fair conditions for traders and consumers.
“We will look at storage facilities, contract farming and price disparity,” Minister Nuetah said, explaining that the aim is to address the challenges so that all parties benefit.
He said the Ministry of Agriculture will collaborate with the Ministry of Commerce to establish a committee involving the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA), Liberia Vegetable Sellers Association (LVSA), and other stakeholders. The committee will examine vegetable pricing and marketing practices and recommend measures to improve fairness and transparency.
Minister Nuetah clarified that the initiative is intended to provide a framework for fair business practices rather than impose price controls. The market assessment will inform practical measures to address disparities and strengthen trading relationships.
A Memorandum of Understanding will also be developed among stakeholders, particularly farmers and buyers represented by the LMA, to guide transactions and promote accountability.
The proposed cold storage facilities would help reduce spoilage and give farmers greater flexibility over when to sell, easing the pressure to accept low offers immediately upon reaching the market.
Representatives of the LMA, LVSA, and consumers welcomed the Minister’s intervention, describing it as a step toward resolving longstanding concerns that have strained relations between vegetable producers and market traders.
