Saturday, November 15, 2008

(DAILY MAIL) Shoprite, Spar reduce mealie meal prices

COMMENT - So much for the 'free market'.

Shoprite, Spar reduce mealie meal prices
By YANDE KAPEYA

SHOPRITE and Spar shopping outlets in Lusaka have reduced prices of Roller and Breakfast mealie-meal to the recommended retail price.

The Millers Association of Zambia had directed its agents and depots to sell the commodity at the recommended K52,000 for a 25 kilogramme bag of breakfast and K44,000 for Roller Meal.

Retailers have also been advised to add not more than K5,000 per bag within a radius of five kilometres from the mill.

A check at Spar Arcades found a 25 kilogramme bag of Roller Meal selling at K40,000 while Breakfast Meal was selling at between K51,000 and K55,000.

At Shoprite Manda Hill, a 25 kilogramme bag of Roller Meal was fetching between K39,000 and 46,000 while Breakfast was pegged at K50,000.

Meanwhile, the Forum for Leadership Search in Zambia has advised opposition political parties to desist from politicising the escalating mealie-meal prices.

Forum executive director Edwin Lifwekelo said the high prices of the commodity had partially been caused by the global and financial crisis which had not spared Zambia, adding that those attacking Government and President Banda over the matter were not being sincere.

Mr Lifwekelo said in a statement released in Lusaka yesterday that the responsibility to cushion the escalating prices of mealie-meal could not be left to Government alone, but that all stakeholders needed to be involved.

“Stop demonising President Rupiah Banda over the escalating mealie-meal prices. This has nothing to do with him and the promises he made during the campaigns.”

Mr Lifwekelo urged Government to deal with millers that are hoarding maize.

On Tuesday, Government accused some milling companies of hoarding maize for profiteering and speculative motives.

Government directed milling companies to ensure that traders dealing in their products sold mealie-meal at prices between K40,000 and K43,000 for Roller Meal and K50,000 for Breakfast.

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