Staff reporter

Consumers have welcomed the raft of measures put in place by Government which have resulted in prize reduction of goods and commodities.

This comes after Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka announced on Friday that in order to cushion consumers Grain Marketing Board (GMB) would reduce price of wheat by 4, 4%. This will effectively reduce wheat price from US$680 MT to US$650 MT. This will also be payable in the ratio of US$33% : ZWL67%.

“To cushion consumers with affordable flour and bread, the price of wheat to millers by the Grain Marketing Board will be reduced by 4,4% from US$680 per metric tonne to US$650 per metric tonne, payable in the ratio of US$33 : $67 (33 percent payable in US dollars and 76 percent payable in local currency,” said Dr Masuka.

Dr Masuka also said importation of wheat will also be suspended as the country expects a wheat bumper harvest thus guaranteeing self-sufficiency.

Mr Tanyaradzwa Chiwaridzo from Budiriro 4 applauded the Government for cushioning consumers.

“Bread is a basic commodity and so even a common man should afford to buy it. I am grateful to our Government for considering our situation,” said Mr Chiwaridzo.

Another consumer Mrs Nhire in Kambuzuma 5 said Government has been considerate in various ways including reduction on bread.

“As a community we are happy obviously. It is a parent’s worst nightmare if they cannot feed their children. With these continued reductions life is surely guaranteed to be affordable and comfortable for everyone,” said Mrs Nhire.

Owing to sound economic policies in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has also effected the price reduction of petrol for the fifth time now. This has also relieved pressure on motorists and business people as Government continues to cushion its people. Currently Diesel costs US$1,70 from US$1,88 and Petrol US$1,51 from US$1,77 with an option of paying in local currency at the prevailing rate of the day.