Stakeholders in the Onion and Potatoes value chain have resolved that the country does not need to import onions and potatoes as it has adequate stocks.
According to the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU), the stakeholders met in Lusaka yesterday and agreed that there is no need for the country to import onions or frozen onion related products as the country has enough stocks for the market.
ZNFU president, Jervis Zimba explained that the participants agreed that the country has adequate stocks from carryovers and fresh stocks.
Mr. Zimba said to this effect, there will be no need for the country to import frozen chips, Potato Crisps, adding that importers of Potato Crisps shall be referred to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) for further advice.
He explained that this is because stakeholders are only in support of measures that will lead to increased production of potatoes locally and value addition.
Mr. Zimba said the parties further agreed to be in constant consultation to avail updates on the commodity availability and measures to be taken.
The stakeholders who attended the meeting include, traders, processors and producers and the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU).
This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, by ZNFU president Jervis Zimba.
All along where were you??… progress has really been very slow in attaining some of these goals on lacally grown foodstuffs.. supporting zero imports on foods we can grow should be the way to go and inlcude others not just onions and potatoes.
It’s a pity that the Zambian consumer prefers imports over our own products.
Excellent! It’s the way things should roll. In fact, local produce is fresher, tastier and healthier – as it doesn’t go through preservative processes that imported foods have to go through to prolong freshness. Buying local also contributes to reducing carbon emissions left by long distance transportation.
#plant a tree please.
@Sight: They have been in Zambia all along and some of them in Chawama. And you asking where have they been all along-are you even a grower of anything? do you grow even a leaf of a tomatoe sir?
Who protects Zambian industry in cases like this? In South Africa certain imports are barred by law. You mean Zambians can import onions?
The Potato and Onion wars are on-on zoona. This is good to see. Now let’s move a step further and see that our people start buying local onion and potato kaili. I believe this is already on the upswing somewhat. I said somewhat.
#4 except in shoprite, pick n pay and choppies…your western affiliated malls
ZNFU should be applauded for standing up for Zambian farmers. How long are we going to continue supporting the South African market via Shoprite surely?
BAN THEM AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS
NOT SO MUCH WITH POTATOES
NEVERTHE LESS WATCH PRICES SOAR
AND PLANT A TREE FOR CHARCOAL ??
Deja Vu – No Zambian consumner prefers quality and properly packaged produce just like everyone else in the world and the big Supermarket REQUIRE quality consitent sized produce according to standard specifications. The Zambian farmer have to raise their standards you can not deliver medium sized eggs one week and then large sized the next week …that would create a headache for shoprite in terms of pricing.
THOSE WHO KEEP BLAMING SHOPRITE STOP REPEAT STOP BUYING THERE
AND GO TO THE 100’S OF OTHER SUPERMARKETS
SOME APPRECIATE THEIR SERVICE. QUALITY AND RANGE OF ITEMS
AS FOR PRICES DO YOU KNOW THEIR SHRINKAGE ?? AND WASTAGE ?? AS THEY LIKE TO CALL IT
IT’S CALLED PILFERAGE TO SOME OF US
Way to go. Let us just work on improving the standard of the produce. If possible go get the seeds from South Africa.
Yeah great local produce, but NOT at inflated prices. Those local onions are not only much lower quality but also at THREE TIMES the price!
I have not come across any imported potato cut chips. Which shops are selling these? In shoprite the label is local suppliers. Their packaging is so good you will mistake it for an imported product.
Local onions on the market have become very expensive and are not good quality, they easily rot.
Why force a supermarket to buy it and sell for you when you are failing to sell it yourself?
These “perceived wars” are unnecessary. No one should be forced to buy a substandard product; not even by govt off loading subsidised imports. Lets learn to grow our own to acceptable standards and find a ready market fir our produce from supermarkets.