By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
THE demand for game meat in the country has exponentially surpassed supply by more than 70 per cent annually, the Wildlife Producers Association Zambia (WPAZ) has noted.
According to the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) Friday brief, the growing demand is due to a shortfall of game meat on the Zambian market.
“The meeting held recently at ZNFU noted that while the country produces over 300 metric tonnes of game meat per year, demand is in thousands of tonnes,” it states.
The meeting observed that there may be need to take measures that would help cushion the demand and pressure on the local market, such as the possibility of importing.
It observed that with the looming ban of game meat from South Africa into the European Union (EU), this presents an opportunity to the local market.
This is because South African game meat suppliers would be looking for an alternative market like Zambia.
Meanwhile, international prices for wheat have maintained their downward steep with the United States Gulf prices quoted at US$386.54 per tonne as at March 28, this year while South African prices for May delivery has been pegged at US$382.9 per tonne.
ZNFU says local wheat offer prices have edged upwards to US$430 per tonne from the Mid-March average of US$422/tonne while the Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ) has pegged the average trader selling price at US$445 per tonne.
