The country has less than two weeks wheat cover due to the National Railways of Zimbabwe’s low uptake of wheat from Mozambique
Conrad Mwanawashe Business Reporter —-
A SHORTAGE of wheat is looming as the country holds less than two weeks cover following the National Railways of Zimbabwe’s low uptake of wheat from Mozambique. The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe in a letter to the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Mr Munesu Munodawafa, said the non-collection of wheat which is currently occupying BGT storage is causing three more other ships to fail to dock and offload.
“Our records indicate that there is less than two weeks national cover which, if the wheat inflows do not improve in the next five days, may cause shortages of bread and related products in the market,” GMAZ national chairman Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said in the letter.
“The collection of wheat is 30 days behind and we have at least 22 000 metric tonnes of wheat at Beira terminal delivered by Thai Hunter and Shanghai ships,” said Mr Musarara.
National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Givemore Mesoemvura said his association is looking at bringing in flour to compliment GMAZ efforts to avert a disaster.
“We normally buy flour from the millers as and when we need it but we are bringing in more flour while the millers are bringing in wheat,” said Mr Mesoemvura.
He said stakeholders are meeting to find a lasting solution to the problem.
“As the Bakers Association and Millers we are engaged in a meeting to ensure that the situation is under control,” he said.
No comment could be obtained from the Mr Munodawafa.
In their letter to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development permanent secretary, GMAZ said the milling sector had taken a safe aggregate position of 100 000MT of wheat for this festive season.
The millers said regrettably, NRZ is only loading an average of 15 wagons.
“Our follow-ups with operations director (not named) has been, to say the least, frustrating. We therefore, seek your esteemed office to cause an urgent intervention. GMAZ had even proposed to procure and pay for additional tarpaulins for NRZ after learning that their tarpaulins stocks had suddenly run down,” said Mr Musarara.
The GMAZ chairman said the milling industry is the second biggest NRZ customer after the petroleum industry.
“Further NRZ’s attitude will definitely impact on national food security. While we can engage road transport as an alternative, we are dissuaded by the current road construction activities happening on the Mutare-Harare highway, which we welcome very much applaud you of,” said Mr Musarara.