Food prices edge up on SA drought
Friday, March 27, 2015
Botswana imports bulk of its grain demand from South Africa. PIC: KAGISO ONKATSWITSE
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.
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...