‘Maize-meal shortage artificial’

Herald Correspondent

THE maize-meal shortage seen over the past week countrywide is “artificial” and the result of “logistical challenges” and consumers should not panic over supplies, the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has said.

Speaking while inspecting formal wholesalers and retailers in Harare on Saturday with officials of Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers, GMAZ chairman Mr Tafadzwa Musarara admitted that several shops has seen short supplies, but “after engagement with Government and all stakeholders involved, deliveries have resumed and in the next ten days, both the formal and informal market will be flooded”.

“This is an artificial shortage we are addressing,” said Mr Musarara. The disruption, he said, only affected roller meal and all other products like rice, salt and flour had not been affected.

“Next week, we will be in Mutare, Gweru and Kwekwe. The shortage has been affecting the northern part of the country. In the southern part, there are more than adequate supplies,” said Mr Musarara.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Mr Denford Mutashu confirmed there had been a shortage of maize meal.

“However, we have found a solution to this problem after crowding in the Government and private sector. As you can see here, truckloads of maize  meal have come to deliver and we would want to assure the consumers that there is no need for panic buying,” said Mr Mutashu.

He said the next stage to be addressed would be on ensuring that retailers did not overcharge. “Now that we have addressed the shortage problem, the next step is to ensure that consumers are not overpriced by unscrupulous retailers,” he said.

Last week, the country, mainly in Harare, witnessed low volumes of some maize  meal brands in formal retail shops.

Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Sithembiso Nyoni checked and found there was more than enough grain in stock. “The responsibility of the Government is to monitor the supply of goods in the market and there have been a few days where there has been a shortage of maize  meal, so because of that we have called an all stakeholders meeting to prevent a catastrophe.

“We have made sure that before the situation gets worse, we will ensure that maize meal is available since there has been a shortage.”