ZNS extends agreements to local traders to facilitate access to affordable mealie meal

Zambia National Service (ZNS) has extended its commercial agreements to local traders in various towns, authorities say.

Acting Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Dr, Situmbeko Musokotwane, said this followed an acknowledgement on the fluctuating prices of mealie meal.

Musokotwane was responding to a question on fluctuating prices of mealie meal in Nakonde District posed by area Member of Parliament, Luka Simumba on Wednesday.

The Minister said the decision by ZNS was to improve access to the commodity in towns such as Nakonde District of Muchinga Province and other areas in the country.

“The average price is ranging from K230 to K350 per 25kg with the lowest being at K200 per 25kg as at 29th January, 2024,” he said.

Situmbeko stated that to ensure household food security, government had continued to put in place interventions to facilitate access to affordable mealie meal.

He said this included enhancing distribution of mealie meal produced by the Zambia Correctional Service and ZNS which was currently selling at K230 at designated retail places.

“Due to brand preferences and some traders wanting to make profits, the commodity is being sold at prices higher than average,” the Minister noted.

Situmbeko said the price of mealie meal in Nakonde was impacted by higher demand from the neighboring countries, the district being a border town.

He stated that government had, however, put in place interventions to ensure that citizens have access to affordable mealie meal.

He cited the introduction of community sells and wider distribution of mealie meal produced by Zambia Correctional Service and ZNS.

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