Food prices edge up on SA drought

Botswana imports bulk of its grain demand from South Africa. PIC: KAGISO ONKATSWITSE
Botswana imports bulk of its grain demand from South Africa. PIC: KAGISO ONKATSWITSE

Consumers will have to dig deeper into their pockets this year as players in the fast moving consumer goods are already reporting an increase in the prices of maize meal and other maize related products.

This comes on the back of drought in South Africa that has shrunk the SA crop by almost a third, leading to an increase in maize meal prices.  Botswana imports about 95 percent of its white maize from South Africa.

It was reported that maize prices in Botswana had increased by up to 40 percent since December last year and that the market should expect further increases in the price of finished products from this month.

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...

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