Government Confirms Food Security With Mealie Prices Set To Fall

The New Dawn Government has confirmed that Zambia is food secure with the price of mealie due to fall in the coming months.

Chusi Kasanda, Chief Government Spokesperson, explained that due to the efforts of small-scale farmers more mealie stock can be deposited into the market.

Further, she outlined that the current temporary high cost of mealie is due to the processing cost of the grain.

Recently, breakfast mealie has been averaging a price of K150 per 25-kilogram bag while the price of the roller meal has been averaging K110.  

The Spokesperson also explained that prices have been higher in areas such as Muchinga, Northern, Eastern and Western Provinces. This is due to external influences such as smuggling.

Ms Kasanda outlined that Zambia is food secure beyond the next harvest, explaining that there is enough mealie supply throughout the country.

In 2021/22 Zambia produced 2.7 million metric tonnes of maize during its growing season and the total maize carry-over stock is currently 1.5 million metric tonnes.

The news reflects a sigh of relief for many as growing food security concerns rise globally.