By CHARITY MOONGA –

THE Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) has ruled out the possibility of an increase in mealie meal prices as a result of low maize yields in the previous season.
MAZ president Allan Sakala said in an interview that Zambia has enough maize stocks from the previous season.
Mr Sakala said that this year’s harvest stood at 2.4 million tonnes, compared to last year’s 2.6 million, signifying a reduced harvest of two million tonnes.
“Yes, there was a reduction in the harvest as compared to last year but we have carry over tonnes from the 2014 harvest and therefore we do not envisage any drastic increases in the maize and mealie meal prices,” he said.
Zambia this year experienced a partial drought which reduced the maize crop yield.
The crop forecast survey released by Government in March showed that Zambia would record a significant reduction in maize production for the 2013/2014 farming season.
The maize forecast production had dropped to 2,618,221 tonnes compared to 3,350,671 tonnes recorded in the previous season, representing a reduction of 26.86 per cent.
Meanwhile, MAZ has commended Government for not announcing the maize floor price this far.
Mr Sakala said this had assisted millers to engage the farmers on the pricing of their maize.
The millers at the moment had an opportunity to negotiate maize prices and they were able to agree the best price to satisfy both parties.
“The delay in announcing the maize floor price has not affected the millers in any way. As a matter of fact, it has given them an opportunity to negotiate maize prices directly with the farmers,” he said.
Mr  Sakala said once Government announced the floor price, farmers would sell maize at a higher price.