Tough times as Flour, mealie meal prices set to increase

Business Reporter

THE Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has affected maize meal and flour price increases saying the uncomfortable development has been prompted by the Ukraine Russia war in East Europe.

The millers group said the latest developments were prompted by the decision by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to increase the cost of maize from $43 000 to $50 000 per metric ton, necessitating an upward review in mealie-meal prices.

GMAZ president, Tafadzwa Musara said the recent fuel price hikes have also left the millers with no choice except to pass down the cost to the ordinary citizens.

“Maize Meal retail price for 10kg Roller Meal will increase by 15 percent from ZWL 955 to ZWL 1099.Bread Flour will move up by 14,74 percent from ZWL 119,000 to ZWL 136,544 per Metric Ton,” he said.

The millers said the price of wheat had surged from US$475 to US$675 per tonne setting the pace for imminent bread price hikes.

Currently, Zimbabwe is one the biggest net importer of Russian wheat in the East and Southern African region and the country has been managing to ensure sufficient supply of bread nationwide through a number of locally made initiatives.

“The government sponsored wheat farming programmes have recorded the highest yield since the commencement of wheat farming in Zimbabwe. However, the war in Ukraine has greatly affected dynamics leading to the price increase,” Musarara said.

Currently, Zimbabwe is consuming 16 000 metric tonnes of bread flour monthly, and approximately 1,2 million loaves a day. Demand for bread is expected to increase as aggregate demand improves, owing to removal of COVID-19 induced lockdowns.