The Herald (Zimbabwe)

Millers welcome Govt’s grain marketing strategy

- Trust Freddy Herald correspond­ent

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.

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