Photo credit: Executive Mansion
Claim: "Rice price reduces to $14."
Source: President Joseph Boakai
Verdict: Partly True
Full Text: President Joseph Boakai, in his third address to the nation, informed Liberians through the Legislature that his government reduced the price of a 25-kg bag of rice to $14.50 United States dollars, equivalent to L$2668 (US$14.50 × L$184.3017 = L$2,668.2238) Liberian dollars at the Central Bank of Liberia rate.
Chapter 6, Article 58 of the 1986 Constitution mandates that the President must deliver an annual message to the Legislature on the fourth working Monday of January each year.
- Present legislative program
- Report on the state of the Republic
- Financial reporting
This constitutional duty ensures presidential accountability to the Legislature and the Liberian people regarding the nation's governance and economic management. This provision is central to Liberia's system of checks and balances, requiring the President to account for government activities regularly and outline plans to the people's elected representatives.
Verification: In September 2025, the government, through the Office of the President announced significant reductions in the prices of flour and rice following a report and recommendation from the Presidential Ad-Hoc Committee on Price Contradictions, chaired by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Sr.
Rice:
- Previous price: US$16.75 per 25kg bag
- New price: US$14.00 per 25kg bag
The reductions, President Boakai said, represent his government's commitment to ensuring that the ordinary Liberian family has access to affordable food while working with producers and importers to maintain fair and sustainable trade practices that safeguard a continuous supply.
Actual Market Prices
We reviewed the Commerce Today Monthly Critical Commodities Bulletin of January 2025 and found the following retail price ranges:
- Urban areas: $17.25 - $17.75 per 25kg bag
- Rural areas: $20 - $23 per 25kg bag
These prices contrast with the president's $14 proclamation.
The Commerce Today Monthly Critical Commodities Bulletin is a product of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, developed to inform the public on key commodities inventory and pricing monthly. The data reported is gathered based on an assessment of import documents, which include:
- Commercial invoice
- Assessment notice
- Single administrative document
- Clean report of findings
- Targeted market sample surveys
Additionally, TSM has established contacts in a few countries on the prices. Once we receive information, this article will be updated.
Conclusion: It is worth noting that prices of a 25kg bag of rice vary by brand, quality, and location (Monrovia versus rural Liberia).
