The Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) last week announced a nationwide reduction in mealie-meal prices, with cuts ranging from K50 to K130 across all milling brands.
The announcement was made by MAZ president Andrew Chintala, who attributed the price drop to positive indicators from the upcoming 2024/2025 maize marketing season, noting that strong market performance, driven by supply and demand, had influenced the adjustment.
We wish to congratulate the millers for taking the step to reduce mealie-meal prices. And even if the announcement did not come directly from the government, however, they deserve to be commended too for the price reduction that has happened under the UPND administration. After all, they are the ones who are also blamed when prices and the cost of living skyrocket in the country. Therefore, they also deserve to be credited when prices reduce in the economy.
The reduction might not exactly translate to the K50 per 25kg bag President Hakainde Hichilema promised the citizens. However, here we are talking about a reduction in the price from the highs of between K340 to K400 for a 25kg bag. Yes, even with the reduced prices, there is an argument that the price still remains reasonably high. We therefore, hope this reduction marks the start of more downward adjustments in the price of the staple food. It is also hoped that the government has learnt its lessons and will this time around work towards ‘methodically’ beefing up the strategic reserves in maize, as opposed to the ‘unregulated’ sell-off of the reserves they inherited from the PF administration.
We are aware that the reduction is coming amid assertions that the UPND administration has been advised to improve their electoral prospects by addressing the prices of mealie-meal and fuel, while addressing the escalated cost of living at the same time. Whether that is the case or not, what should be noted is that the price has reduced, with Zambians remaining hungry for more reductions. They are hoping the reduction now would mark as a springboard for further reductions.
There is a well-reasoned argument that the price of the staple food should not be too expensive beyond the reach of especially the ordinary majority, which it was fast becoming, forcing many to migrate towards smaller kilograms’ brands on account of failing to afford the standard 25 kg bags.
It is worth noting that the reduced mealie-meal price is coming on the heels of another downward price adjustment in the price of fuel for the month of May, 2025. However, in order for the reduction to have telling long term sustainability, price fluctuations must be avoided at all cost. It goes without saying that any upward adjustment in the price of fuel for instance, given the unpredictable nature of the monthly adjustments, may negate the reduced price in mealie-meal. Therefore, working towards a predictable macro-economic environment; in the rate of inflation, exchange rate, price stability, GDP growth and interest rates, will always be crucial.
By Daily Revelation Editor
The Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) last week announced a nationwide reduction in mealie-meal prices, with cuts ranging from K50 to K130 across all milling brands.
The announcement was made by MAZ president Andrew Chintala, who attributed the price drop to positive indicators from the upcoming 2024/2025 maize marketing season, noting that strong market performance, driven by supply and demand, had influenced the adjustment.
We wish to congratulate the millers for taking the step to reduce mealie-meal prices. And even if the announcement did not come directly from the government, however, they deserve to be commended too for the price reduction that has happened under the UPND administration. After all, they are the ones who are also blamed when prices and the cost of living skyrocket in the country. Therefore, they also deserve to be credited when prices reduce in the economy.
The reduction might not exactly translate to the K50 per 25kg bag President Hakainde Hichilema promised the citizens. However, here we are talking about a reduction in the price from the highs of between K340 to K400 for a 25kg bag. Yes, even with the reduced prices, there is an argument that the price still remains reasonably high. We therefore, hope this reduction marks the start of more downward adjustments in the price of the staple food. It is also hoped that the government has learnt its lessons and will this time around work towards ‘methodically’ beefing up the strategic reserves in maize, as opposed to the ‘unregulated’ sell-off of the reserves they inherited from the PF administration.
We are aware that the reduction is coming amid assertions that the UPND administration has been advised to improve their electoral prospects by addressing the prices of mealie-meal and fuel, while addressing the escalated cost of living at the same time. Whether that is the case or not, what should be noted is that the price has reduced, with Zambians remaining hungry for more reductions. They are hoping the reduction now would mark as a springboard for further reductions.
There is a well-reasoned argument that the price of the staple food should not be too expensive beyond the reach of especially the ordinary majority, which it was fast becoming, forcing many to migrate towards smaller kilograms’ brands on account of failing to afford the standard 25 kg bags.
It is worth noting that the reduced mealie-meal price is coming on the heels of another downward price adjustment in the price of fuel for the month of May, 2025. However, in order for the reduction to have telling long term sustainability, price fluctuations must be avoided at all cost. It goes without saying that any upward adjustment in the price of fuel for instance, given the unpredictable nature of the monthly adjustments, may negate the reduced price in mealie-meal. Therefore, working towards a predictable macro-economic environment; in the rate of inflation, exchange rate, price stability, GDP growth and interest rates, will always be crucial.
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