Millers welcome Govt’s grain marketing strategy

MILLERS have been granted special exemption for full retention of their foreign currency bank deposits, allowing them to pay off farmers, a move t hey have welcomed.

In a statement yesterday, the chairman of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe ( GMAZ), Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said the move indicated a gradual, but progressive liberalisation of the grain sector.

“We welcome the 2023 grain marketing arrangements recently announced by government that include the pricing and the buying arrangements.

“These positive developments will improve the viability of farmers, ease of mobilisation of capital for contract farming and accelerate attainment of national grain sufficiency.

“We will remain engaged with Government on other outstanding matters.”

Mr Musarara said GMAZ had however, noticed with regret the attempts by some to corner the market for mealie meal and other milled products. These were readily available in the informal sector, but formal stores were left with severely depleted stocks. This was despite the fact that the supply from millers was greater than demand and there should be no shortages.

Despite the challenges, he said efforts were now underway to ensure that the situation was corrected.

GMAZ would be soon meeting with both Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers and the Retailers Association of Zimbabwe to address the issues.

“We commit to updating the market on our ongoing efforts. However, the current national aggregate supply exceeds demand,” Mr Musarara said.

GMAZ is the representative body for grain millers who are in the business of manufacturing and processing maize meal, flour, rice and salt, among others.