Metangula Municipal Council and SDAE monitor maize prices in the central market

Since the end of February, the price of maize in the Lago district, in Niassa province, particularly in the town of Metangula, has been rising significantly, from 500 MT to the current 700 MT per 20 kg tin, which reduces consumers' purchasing power.

On the morning of Monday (17), a team made up of the Municipal Council and the District Service for Economic Activities (SDAE), led by the market and fairs councilor, Cecílio Caomba, visited the Seli market to listen to maize vendors about the reasons for the sharp price increase. "We came here to address the maize prices. We want to understand the reason for the increase and we will check where they buy the maize to see if there is justification for the price rise," explained the councilor.

The vendors explained that it is not a matter of price speculation, but rather the result of increased prices at the point of purchase, in the city of Lichinga, where a 60 kg sack costs 2000.00 MT. Therefore, they are forced to raise prices to cover transportation costs and ensure a profit.

"The problem is not ours; the price went up in Lichinga, where we buy, including the transportation costs. It's different when the purchase is made within the district, like in Bandeze or Maniamba," explained Domingos Benissane and Tomás Sonjo.

Cecílio Caomba, the market and fairs councilor, stated that by the end of the monitoring work being conducted, a decision will be made as to whether prices will drop or remain the same. If a reduction is necessary, the Municipal Council will use all available means to ensure the implementation of the measure.

"At the end of this work, you can expect the prices to either remain stable or decrease, and this will depend on the results of our work. If there is justification for a reduction, we will use all means at our disposal to bring the maize price down," said Caomba.

Franco Raimundo, head of the business development promotion department at SDAE, explained that at this time, the price of maize normally fluctuates between 400 and 500 MT, and added that the economic activities sector will continue to monitor the prices. (Davide Muianga)