LONG HOURS OF LOAD-SHEDDING RESULTING IN UNPRECEDENTED DISRUPTIONS IN MEALIE-MEAL PRODUCTION

 The Millers’ Association of Zambia -MAZ- says that the last five months of the year have been characterized by poor mealie meal production due to the current load-shedding and high fuel cost.

Association President Andrew Chintala has told Phoenix News that long and inconsistent load-shedding hours have resulted in unprecedented disruptions in the production of mealie-meal.

Mr. Chintala explains that business has been very difficult to conduct amidst so many economic fundamentals not favouring millers, thereby causing fluctuations in mealie-meal prices.

He says with the increased hours of load shedding from 8 to 12 hours, Zesco should stick to the schedule to allow millers plan for backup sources.

Mr. Chintala has also observed that so far in the second quarter, the demand for mealie-meal from commercial millers has been relatively slow due to market competition.

PHOENIX NEWS