Story by John Nhandara
The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe says the supply of mealie meal on the formal market has improved following engagements with relevant stakeholders.
The association has assured retailers, wholesalers and consumers of adequate distribution of mealie meal on the market following some temporary shortages that were witnessed in the recent past.
This follows engagements between stakeholders in the grain products value chain and government last week.
The ZBC News witnessed trucks delivering mealie meal to most retail and wholesale outlets in Harare this Sunday.
Grain millers Association of Zimbabwe chairman, Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said, “In the past week or so, we experienced temporary disruptions as a result of certain logistical challenges. We are now rectifying that. Supplies have now resumed mainly targeting the formal market – formal retailers and formal wholesalers. We are very confident that 10 days from now, the market will be fully stocked with roller meal. There are no shortages on all other products like rice and flour.”
Retailers confirmed the improvement in the supply of mealie meal to most outlets.
“Behind me is a truck load of roller meal. Government committed maize to millers and millers have also committed to distribute the mealie meal through the formal channel. This is why today you have seen quite a number of trucks have come out of the millers and distributed across the country. We are playing our part as the retail and wholesale distribution channel to ensure the mealie meal is fairly priced and sold without prejudice to the consumers,” Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president, Mr Denford Mutashu said.
Last week government held deliberations with various stakeholders in the grain value chain, following a reduced supply of maize meal on the formal retail market where grain millers committed to supply the nation with adequate maize meal.
