Staff Reporter
Government has approved a review of the price of maize to ZW$75 000 per metric tonne while the incentive for early delivery of the same, to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), would be US$90 per metric tonne.
Addressing the media after the 15th Cabinet session yesterday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said that the early delivery incentive would be extended to other crops such as traditional grains, sunflower and soybeans.
“The nation is also informed that Cabinet has approved a review of the price of maize to ensure farmers’ viability. The current maize price moves to ZW$75 000/MT plus a fixed early delivery incentive of US$90/MT. The early delivery incentive, which will be extended to other crops such as traditional grains, sunflower and soyabean, is payable on 31 July 2022, and applies to all deliveries made since the commencement of the marketing season,” said the Minister.
The Minister added that the country has a four month wheat reserves of 101 182 MT with GMB holding 67 000 MT.
“The nation is further informed that the total wheat stocks in the country as at 3 June 2022 stood at 101 182 MT out of which 67 000MT were held by the GMB and the remainder by millers. These stocks are expected to last for 4 months, at an allocation rate of 21 000 MT per month. Millers are expected to import 9 000 MT per month to meet the country’s monthly requirement of 30 000 MT per month,” added the Minister.
Regarding the 2022 winter wheat production, the Minister added that the target was to plant 75 000 hectares and produce 383 000 MT, which would be a record harvest for the country. She added that despite challenges with the late start of the winter season, planting to date was 62.8 percent of the target, being above last year by 70 percent.
Minister Mutsvangwa further said that all contractors of grains should register with the Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) by 15 June each year, in accordance with Section 5 of SI 140 of 2013, for them to be able to participate and enter into contract farming.
According to Minister Mutsvangwa, a total of 122.7 million kilograms of tobacco valued at US$366.8 million have been sold to date, compared to 141 million kilograms worth US$382 million sold during the same period last year. She added that the Auction and Contract floors average selling price has been firmer this year at US$2.99/kg compared to US$2.71/kg in 2021.
Meanwhile, Cabinet informed that cotton was now treated as an export crop, just like tobacco, with prices being determined by fair pricing based on international lint prices.
