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Clinton Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
THE Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) says it has noted with concern the rampant profiteering by unscrupulous retailers that have increased prices of commodities under Government’s Price Monitoring Programme.
GMAZ national chairperson Tafadzwa Musarara said errant wholesalers and retailers are charging prices way beyond the maximum recommended wholesale and retail prices.
The apex representative body of the milling industry in the country met on 10 November 2017 and deliberated on the announced price monitoring programme by Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Mike Bimha.
The Price Monitoring Programme lists 16 selected commodities whose prices will be under Government watch in order to arrest possible instances of profiteering and speculation. The milling industry produces five of the listed 16 commodities namely maize meal, rice, salt, bread and flour.
“We have noted increased prices for the goods which we had said we are monitoring. In general in the market the prices have remained the same but we have seen some retailers charging double the recommended prices with some even charging triple but the cases are few,” said Musarara.
In a statement released last year GMAZ said it acknowledged its vital role in the provision of staple foods to sustain national food security at household level. The body further stated that prices of flour and maize meal have remained generally stable since dollarisation in 2009 to date.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers Association president Mr Denford Mutashu said there was a need to arrest cases of profiteering in the whole value chain adding that there are cases where manufacturers and other market players are resorting to the three-tier pricing system.
“There is a need to look into these cases and find out which retailers are charging these prices because cases of indiscipline are there. We had a similar case where manufacturers told us of some retailers who were profiteering from their products and the issue was solved.
“I think millers should do the same so that we address it. We also need to look at the whole value chain if we want to solve this issue rather than looking at retailers only because we found that some manufactures are still using the three-tier system while some have increased their prices for commodities,” he said.
derick.khumalo