adminwith the corresponding period last year. The office, however, could not give figures of the delivered maize. The decline in volumes of maize delivered to the GMB has been attributed to drought and poor payment system by the GMB. This season GMB is paying US$310 per tonne, a price many farmers feel should be increased.
Most farmers wanted a producer price of US$400 per tonne for them to break even with production costs of US$1 055 per hectare. According to the latest Zimbabwe Farmers Union weekly market guide private buyers were offering prices between US$300 and US$350 per tonne.
Some are paying cash on delivery while others pay within seven days. Millers and stockfeed manufacturers are among the top buyers. The Grain Marketing Board chairman Mr Charles Chikaura recently appealed to Government to release funds early to achieve the target maize intake of 100 000 tonnes during the 2013/14 marketing season. Last season, GMB received 81 190 tonnes of maize from farmers.
GMB submitted a budget of US$80 million to Government for the 2013/14 marketing season. The budget covers maize intake purchases and grain storage resources that include tarpaulins and gum poles. Local millers have on the other hand suspended maize importation in preference for the local produce.
Grain Millers Association president Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said millers had already imported 5 000 tonnes of maize from South Africa and Zambia but had stopped importing to support local farmers.
Online Reporter