Everything is expensive in Ampanihy. This is the observation of the residents of the district capital of Ampanihy Ouest, in the Atsimo Andrefana region. “Even though it is not yet the rainy season, nor the peak of the lean season, the general cost of living is too high while purchasing power is too low,” says Voriandro, a civil servant who has lived in the city for thirty years.
The price of a kilo of zebu meat is around 24,000 ariary, despite the locality having a significant livestock population. A few months ago, the price was around 20,000 ariary per kilo.
There are almost no vegetables at the market because the transport costs from Andranovory, Toliara, or Fianarantsoa are too high. The few leafy greens available come from the fokontany of the neighboring rural commune of Ankilizato. However, a bundle costing 1,000 or 2,000 ariary is minuscule for a family meal.
Essential products such as sugar and rice have not seen a significant change. A ‘kapoaka’ (standard measure) of sugar costs 1,500 to 1,800 ariary, and a ‘kapoaka’ of rice costs 850 to 900 ariary. Other daily products such as biscuits, jam, disposable sanitary pads, and fruit juices in cartons or bottles are unaffordable for many. “These products are not heavy, yet a pack of sanitary pads costs 6,000 ariary here. Many women are resorting to reusable pads,” says Jennia, a seller of ‘mokary’ fritters and breakfast items.
The RN10 road axis, particularly the stretch connecting Vatolatsaka-Betioky to Ampanihy, is in poor condition, especially the 60 km section between Ejeda and Ampanihy. This is one of the arguments used by traders to justify the high transport costs for goods arriving in Ampanihy, which is located about 350 km from Toliara.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-21 06:39:31 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/ampanihy-ouest-le-cout-de-la-vie-juge.html