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MAZ urges access by all millers to cheaper FRA maize

MAZ urges access by all millers to cheaper FRA maize
Written by Fridah Zinyama
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 10:05:39 AM

SOME milling companies have disclosed that they will only effect a reduction in mealie-meal prices once they access cheaper maize being offered by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

In an interview, Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) vice-chairperson Peter Cottan said the milling companies which were currently selling mealie-meal at reduced prices had signed a contract with FRA which was offering maize at a K55, 000 per 50 kilogramme bag of the commodity.

“We will be meeting FRA this afternoon (yesterday) to discuss the way forward concerning the mealie-meal prices,” he said.

Cottan said all millers would like to be included in the package that FRA was offering as that would assist them reduce mealie-meal prices.

Last week, FRA chairman Costain Chilala had announced a reduction in maize prices from K60, 000 to K55, 000 per 50 kilogramme bag.

Chilala stated that all willing millers would be supplied with FRA maize at 100 per cent mill requirements at the current price.

He said participating millers would sign a legal document to further lower mealie-meal prices.

Chilala said the agency would also buy available maize from the local market at its offer price to meet increased demand for the commodity. This would be in addition to the planned imports of 100,000 metric tonnes of the commodity.

Labels: COSTAIN CHILALA, FRA, INFLATION, MAZ

posted by MrK @ 10:06 AM