Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Meal meal prices in Mazabuka skyrockets

COMMENT - Even the freemarketeers should see that the staple food should not be used for speculative purposes. Buying in bulk and waiting for the price to rise should not be done with the national staple.

Meal meal prices in Mazabuka skyrockets
February 15, 2009

The Price of Mealie Meal in Mazabuka town in Southern Province on the black market has increased to K 60,000 and K 75,000 respectively at Nakambala market.

And Mazabuka District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba has attributed the sky rocketing prices to the Food Reserve Agency’s delay to release maize to Kapinga Milling Company which has since halted production.

Mr Hamaamba said failure by FRA to release maize to Kapinga and the consignment meant for sale to starving villagers has necessitated the sharp increase on the black market.

A survey conducted by ZANIS at Mazabuka’s largest Market, Nakambala has revealed that a 25 Kilogramme bag of Breakfast brand by National Milling Company has shot up from K45,000 to K 70,000 while a similar bag of Roller Mealie Meal has been hiked from K 36,000 to K 60,000.

The survey further revealed that Nakambala market has been flooded with expensive mealie meal while leading super markets have completely run out of the commodity.

Traders talked to said the increase in the price of the staple food could not be reduced because the free market economy promotes competition in business.

They also said the price of mealie meal at the market was cheaper than some named shops in the Central Business District who are now pegging the price of the commodity in some cases at K 75,000.

But Mr Hamaamba said there was little his office could do to reverse the price of mealie meal by marketers on the black market.

Mr Hamaamba said the solution to the mealie meal price reduction lies on the Food Reserve Agency in sending relief food for sell to starving people and release of maize to Kapinga Milling Company.

The DC has since warned that the food situation in the district is likely to worsen this month.

But some residents have since called on the Government to screen people buying mealie meal in bulk because they are creating artificial shortage of the commodity.

ZANIS/ENDS/HC/CLM

Labels: DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS, MAZABUKA DISTRICT, MEALIE-MEAL, TYSON HAMAAMBA

posted by MrK @ 6:43 AM