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(DAILY MAIL) More millers consider mealie meal price cuts

More millers consider mealie meal price cuts
By YANDE KAPEYA

SOME millers have started considering a reduction in the price of mealie meal following the reduction in the price of maize grain by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). On Wednesday, the FRA reduced the price of maize from K63, 000 to K55, 000 per 50 kilogramme bag.

In Kapiri Mposhi, Chimsoro Milling Company proprietor, Constain Chilala said the company would consider reducing the price of the commodity to K45, 000 for a 25-kilogramme bag of breakfast and K35, 000 for roller meal.

Mr Chilala said in an interview yesterday in Lusaka that the move by the FRA to reduce the price of the maize grain was good news for millers as it would reduce the cost of producing mealie meal.

“The cost of maize was quite high and most millers found it difficult to reduce the price of mealie meal. As you know, the price of the commodity is determined by the price of the maize grain.

‘Now that Government has reduced the price of the maize grain, it will give an opportunity to many millers to acquire the commodity at a cheaper price,” he said.

Mr Chilala said all millers in the country should consider reducing the price of mealie meal now that they would be able to access the grain cheaply.

“Even if some millers decided to keep the price of mealie meal high, they will lose out as consumers will be going for cheaply priced mealie meal. It’s only right that as millers, we reduce the price of the commodity to a reasonable price,” he said.

In Luanshya , Roan Antelope Milling said the company would consider reducing the price of the commodity after it holds a meeting with the FRA next week.

“Yes, we shall definitely consider reducing the price of the commodity after we hold a meeting with the Food Reserve Agency on Monday next week,” a company spokesperson said.

And a Chat Milling spokesperson said in a separate interview that the company would reduce the price of mealie meal following the reduction in the price of maize grain.

The spokesperson said it would be inconsiderate if millers countrywide did not reduce the price of the commodity.

“In the interest of the nation, millers should reduce the price of mealie meal following the lowering of the price of maize by the FRA. As Chat Milling, we will definitely consider that when we receive the new maize consignment,” he said.

On Monday, Chimanga Changa Milling Company Limited announced a reduction in the price of mealie meal from K55, 000 to K45, 000 for a 25-kilogramme bag of breakfast.

The milling company also reduced the price of a 25-kilogramme bag of roller meal from K45, 000 to K35, 000.

And on Tuesday, Kwacha Milling Company in Chipata also announced price reductions on mealie meal from K49, 000 to K46, 000 for a 25 kilogramme bag of breakfast while the same quantity for roller meal was pegged at K40, 000 from K43, 000.

Labels: COSTAIN CHILALA, FRA, MEALIE-MEAL, MILLERS

posted by MrK @ 9:43 AM