Reading SIMRO prices to sell your rice or onion at the right time
Producing good rice or fine onions isn’t enough: it’s when you sell that decides much of your income. Between peak harvest and the lean season, the price can double. The good news: with SIMRO (the public platform of MINADER/PADFA II), you can track real prices, market by market, and sell at the right time. Here’s how to read it, step by step.
Why timing changes everything
At harvest, everyone sells at once: supply surges, prices collapse. A few months later, in the lean season, the product becomes scarce and prices climb. A producer who sells everything at harvest — for lack of information or cash — leaves money on the table. One who tracks prices can decide knowingly.
Step 1 — Open the “Prices” tab
Go to SIMRO’s Prices tab. There you’ll find rice and onion prices recorded across dozens of markets, with the date of each reading.
Step 2 — Read a price line
Each line shows: the market (e.g. Bamenda, Ndop, Touboro), the product (bulb onion, local onion, rice…), the price (per kg, in FCFA) and the date. First locate the market closest to you and the one where you usually sell.
Step 3 — Spot the trend
Don’t look at a single price, but at the series over time: is the price rising, falling, stabilising? Compare with the same period last year. It’s the trend — not one day’s price — that should guide your decision.
Step 4 — Compare markets
The same bag can be worth far more 50 km away. Compare 2-3 reachable markets: if the gap comfortably covers transport costs, selling elsewhere may pay off.
Step 5 — Decide
Sell now if prices are high or you can’t store.
Store and stagger your sales if prices are low and you have a suitable storage facility.
Target another market when the price gap justifies it.
Group together (cooperative) to negotiate better prices and share transport.
Go further with the bulletins
Beyond raw prices, SIMRO publishes weekly bulletins and technical sheets that explain the trends. Combine them with our advice on how to stop selling blind.
Frequently asked questions
Is SIMRO free?
Yes, entirely. It’s a public service of MINADER/PADFA II, open to everyone at simro-cmr.net.
How often should I check prices?
At least once a week during the selling period, and before any major selling decision.
What if my market isn’t listed?
Use the nearest market as a reference: regional trends remain broadly comparable.
From information to the sale
SIMRO tells you when and where to sell; Jangolo helps you sell: business profile, the Market Prices barometer and matchmaking with buyers.
Producing good rice or fine onions isn’t enough: it’s when you sell that decides much of your income. Between peak harvest and the lean season, the price can double. The good news: with SIMRO (the public platform of MINADER/PADFA II), you can track real prices, market by market, and sell at the right time. Here’s how to read it, step by step.
Why timing changes everything
At harvest, everyone sells at once: supply surges, prices collapse. A few months later, in the lean season, the product becomes scarce and prices climb. A producer who sells everything at harvest — for lack of information or cash — leaves money on the table. One who tracks prices can decide knowingly.
Step 1 — Open the “Prices” tab
Go to SIMRO’s Prices tab. There you’ll find rice and onion prices recorded across dozens of markets, with the date of each reading.
Step 2 — Read a price line
Each line shows: the market (e.g. Bamenda, Ndop, Touboro), the product (bulb onion, local onion, rice…), the price (per kg, in FCFA) and the date. First locate the market closest to you and the one where you usually sell.
Step 3 — Spot the trend
Don’t look at a single price, but at the series over time: is the price rising, falling, stabilising? Compare with the same period last year. It’s the trend — not one day’s price — that should guide your decision.
Step 4 — Compare markets
The same bag can be worth far more 50 km away. Compare 2-3 reachable markets: if the gap comfortably covers transport costs, selling elsewhere may pay off.
Step 5 — Decide
Go further with the bulletins
Beyond raw prices, SIMRO publishes weekly bulletins and technical sheets that explain the trends. Combine them with our advice on how to stop selling blind.
Frequently asked questions
Is SIMRO free?
Yes, entirely. It’s a public service of MINADER/PADFA II, open to everyone at simro-cmr.net.
How often should I check prices?
At least once a week during the selling period, and before any major selling decision.
What if my market isn’t listed?
Use the nearest market as a reference: regional trends remain broadly comparable.
From information to the sale
SIMRO tells you when and where to sell; Jangolo helps you sell: business profile, the Market Prices barometer and matchmaking with buyers.
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