AGRICULTURE and Livestock Minister Bob Sichinga says that there is no shortage of maize in the country to warrant the sharp rise in the prices mealie-meal.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Sichinga said he recently had a meeting with the millers and that the sharp rise in mealie-meal prices was not as a result of the shortage of maize in the country.
Mr Sichinga said the country currently had more than a million metric tonnes of maize in stock saying the sharp rise in price mealie-meal was triggered by other things which needed to be resolved by stakeholders.
“The country has enough maize stocks, the meeting we had with Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and Grain traders recently and with all stakeholders revealed that the price increase was due to other issues and not the shortage of maize in the country,” he said.
Mr Sichinga could however not reveal the factors and promised to issue a press statement on the matter.
Retailers in some parts of the country have hiked mealie-meal prices by between K5 and K10 per 25kg bag.
In Livingstone, the prices have increased by an average of K5 with some millers attributing the increment to the shortage of maize in the tourist capital.
Masimu Milling is currently selling a 25kg bag of breakfast meal at K60 from K55 two weeks ago, while the price of roller meal has increased to K55 from K50.
Musanza Milling is selling a 25kg bag of breakfast meal at K63 from the previous price of K58 while the price of roller meal has increased to K54 from K48.
Shoprite Mosi-oa-tunya Square outlet is selling a 25kg bag of breakfast meal at K64.99 while Spar Livingstone is selling a similar bag at K68.50.
Mwasimu Milling director Mukuwe Imbwela said the outlet had decided to raise the price of mealie-meal due to a shortage of maize in Livingstone.
Mr Mukuwe said his firm was buying maize from Kalomo at a high price. In Lusaka, some retailers have increased the price of the staple food to as high as K85 per 25kg breakfast bag.
Other towns throughout the country are also selling the commodity at as high as K85 per 25kg bag of breakfast meal.
Vice-President Guy Scott last week confirmed in Parliament that Government was aware about the escalating prices of mealie-meal. He said the market forces were at play following Government’s decision to waive subsidies.
Dr Scott, however, stated that Government was monitoring the situation and advised millers not to form cartels and exaggerate prices.
Meanwhile, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection JCTR says the Government needs to review Agricultural policies to address the changes concerning the continued escalated mealie meal prices.
JCTR programme officer for social conditions programme, Faith Adwoko said mealie meal price changes were as a result of the subsidy removal on fuel and maize.
She said Government should consider not to rate basic foods by removing Value Added Tax on wheat and wheat products if it to meet desired goals in poverty reduction.
“As a centre we are concerned with how people living in high density areas and the rural community are meeting their basic needs,” she said.
It is a pity that mealie meal price hike happens just before the close of the year, this means that even if the so called bumper harvest is there, it serves no purpose to the ordinary zambian esp the poor who are the majority. This govt should pull up the socks or else doomsday is forthcoming, the govt’s popularity is at stake if not already in ruins. PF came to steal period, ya tata ya sichinga mukucita uli?
But which idi0 t said the price increase is due to the shortage of maize? I really thought the reasons lie somewhere else – The cost of production – fuel cost, cost of maize itself whether in shot supply or not, and all these are as a result of sudsidy removals.
Of course you are now constructing roads, hospitals, universities and paying maids and cleaners well which is more important that the cost of mealie meal.
Release maize as programmed then you may dictate prices of mealie meal,and hope lessons are learnt on leaving key govt depts to the private sector.
There is no shortage of maize, but why hiking the prices? GRZ and PF wake up……you know very well that the mealie meal industry is in the hands of foreigners who are bent at exploiting poor Zambians at all cost. Why cant you find a lasting solution to this problem given that every year in December through March it re-occurs? Please what is need is to sensitize people to start planning for this period. Those in village Towns let them grow maize and store it for this lean period. It will not help us in any way always crying against high mealie meal prices year in and year out. Let us solve this problem once and for all.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.
iwe ka truth hates, when did we ever have this kind of problem apart from right now under your *****ic party? Be truthful you kama cadre waumfwa?
Sichinga is very dull, the man kept on ranting that other factors not shortages are causing the high prices…without mentioning the factors. Mr minister accept that your govt blundered on subsidy removal, cost of production now is very high, fuel costs have goen up…common sense, Mr Minister, common sense!!!!!! accept your failures!!!!
But Zambians are difficult people…don’t you know that maize will always perform for as long as you monopolize it?!..invest more in cultivating other means of starch;rice,millet,wheat etc…and modernize your eating habits,mealie-meal** ll continue misbehaving if not!….the problem is that Zambians only think of rice at x mass,new year and parties..so federal thinking**….no disrespect,am also Zambian just disappointed with the way things r run.
And you think rice will be cheaper to produce that Maize?
You may not have shortages but if the price of maize is high and if the cost of transporting both the maize and the finished product is high, then the cost of the finished product will be high. Simple economics bwana dunderhead minister
Yes, shortage of maize is around the corner. Mr Minister just come and stand by the roadside leading to Congo and you will realise what is lying ahead for the majority poor.