Maize shortage hits Zambia
2002-12-12 20:04
Jeff Kapembwa - Media24 Africa Office
Lusaka - A critical maize shortage has hit Zambia resulting in the upsurge in the price of maize meal, the staple food for most of the 10 million population.
A survey by Media24 revealed that the cost of a 25kg bag of maize meal has risen to US$10 from $8 it fetched a few months ago.
Most of the retail outlet owners, in separate interviews said they decided to increase the price of the commodity because of the cost of securing maize which was in short supply in most parts of the country.
The increased cost of maize meal has been compounded by the ever depreciating local currency which has lost by 60% on year on year end against other convertible currencies.
"We have reviewed our prices because of the depreciating Kwacha and the transport costs involved in bringing the maize from
rural outlets, and later have it milled before it is sold," said Caleb Mulenga, owner of Superior milling, one of the leading outlets in Lusaka.
Other millers interviewed complained at the shortage of the grain saying unless continent measures were initiated by the government, the price of maize meal would continue to escalate, given the demand towards the festive season.
Zambia's finance minister, Emmanuel Kasonde concedes that the shortage of maize would affect the price of the staple food. He however could not state when the commodity would be imported in the country.
According to Kasonde, an estimated $350m would be required to import 650 metric tons to last until the end of the year.
Britain recently released $50m to mitigate Zambia's hunger arising from the drought that has ravaged the country during the past two seasons.
Howard Mutale, a retired civil servant argues that the recent hikes were unjustified.
"The recent increase of mealie meal is unjustified. How does government expect us to survive under these harsh economic conditions?" he wondered.
Sepiso Chaswe, a Kitwe based marketeer and widow, caring for 15 offsprings including five grandchildren whose parents died from HIV/Aids recently, accused government of being insensitive.
"President Mwanawasa and his ministers are insensitive to our plight. Some of us are looking after big families whom we can't even afford to send to school," she lamented amid tears streaming down her cheecks.
"This government should know that we are hungry and that is why we shall vote them out of office this year," she said.
Civil Servants Union of Zambia leader Leonard Hikaumba has poured cold water on the Levy Mwanawasa establishment saying the continued increase of essential commodities has eroded the buying power of the 120 000 members.