Mealie meal prices go up

THE price of mealie meal has gone up by almost US$3 due to the shortage of grain and the need for retailers to cover costs following the recent increase in fuel prices.

A 10kg bag of mealie meal that was costing around US$4,70 before the increase in fuel prices is now going for between US$6,50 and US$7,50.

A survey by The Herald established that most outlets in Harare have increased the price of mealie meal, with consumers rushing to buy from outlets that are still selling old stock.

Consumers complained that such increases in prices of basic commodities were costly since they were not matched by a rise in their salaries.

Mrs Febbie Makuwatsine said she was surprised when she visited a wholesaler and discovered that it had increased the price of mealie meal.

"I thought wholesalers had not increased the price since they had old stock," she said.

"Vendors who sell grain have also increased the price from US$4 to US$6 per bucket, so I am still to decide how I will go around these increases."

Other consumers said they resorted to buying cheaper maize grain from the rural areas.

Some consumers accused retailers of intending to create shortages of basic commodities ahead of the harmonised elections expected before the end of the year.

"Why is it that food prices always increase when we have elections? This is political and the Government should intervene before things get out of hand," said another consumer.

Consumer Council of Zimbabwe executive director Ms Rosemary Siyachitema expressed concern over the increase in the prices of both fuel and mealie meal, which she said would worsen the situation for consumers who are already economically burdened.