The Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) says it is not to blame for the high mealie meal prices in the country, attributing the increase in mealie meal prices to high transportation costs from the production point of the commodity to the market.
MAZ President Allan Sakala has said in an interview that transporters are overcharging mealie meal traders to transport the product to various parts of the country.
Mr. Sakala explains that most milling companies are situated in urban areas, hence traders buying the mealie-meal are incurring additional costs to transport the commodity to rural areas.
Mr. Sakala notes that for as long as the cost of transportation continues to increase, the price of Mealie Meal will also continue escalating.
He says the best way to address the escalating mealie meal prices is by addressing price of fuel.
He however laments that it is the poor Zambians who are being affected by the increase in the price of Mealie Meal.
Mr. Sakala has since appealed to people to buy Mealie Meal from traders who are contracted by the Millers stating that their prices are controlled.
He has further appealed to government to consider reintroducing subsidies on fuel and maize to help cushion the impact of the high prices of mealie meal.
Radio Mano News
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