Andrew
Online Reporter
THE Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has enough grain stocks to last the country for at least 11 months, thereby alleviating fears of starvation in drought-affected areas, Cabinet heard on Tuesday.
Latest official figures show that the monthly social welfare grain allocation stands at 24 295 metric tonnes, while allocation to millers remains pegged at 25 000 metric tonnes per month.
Addressing Tuesday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, said:
“Cabinet advises that the grain stocks at GMB as of December 5, 2022, stood at 551 032 metric tonnes, comprising 472 950 metric tonnes of maize and 78 082 metric tonnes of traditional grains.
“Based on the country’s forecasted monthly consumption rate of 49 295 metric tonnes, the available grain will last for 11,2 months.”
Meanwhile, cumulative grain sales of maize, wheat, soya beans and traditional grains by the GMB since April 2022 amount to about $25 billion, comprising 236 725 metric tonnes.
Online Reporter