The priciest cut of them all
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
The priciest cut of them all
The basket of 11 food items used by the data agency as part of its monthly inflation calculations shows that meat prices outpaced all other foods in the 12 months to January 2020.
Statistics Botswana figures indicate that during that period, meat prices rose fastest between October and December last year, possible because supply fell after government urged farmers to destock in April to secure the little value available after yet another drought.
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...