A lot of prices have been adjusted in Zimbabwe in recent weeks and the Russia-Ukraine war has been mentioned as a major reason. From fuel price hikes to mealie meal and most recently bread prices went up by 100%.
Many people have been bushing the war off as a lame excuse and wondering what the connection between Zimbabwe, Russia and Ukraine could be. After all the countries are thousands of kilometres away from Zimbabwe and separated by seas. That was until Tafadzwa Musarara the chairman of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe disclosed an interesting fact.
The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe imports wheat for the country and Russia and Ukraine are on the supplier’s list. Apparently, there is a consignment of Zimbabwe’s wheat that has been stuck in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol for weeks now and Musarara has expressed that the association is considering sourcing the wheat from other countries.
Musarara said that Australia is facing floods that are affecting their agriculture and they are considering sourcing wheat from Canada. One might wonder why Zimbabwe is importing wheat in the first place. Firstly wheat is apparently not a profitable crop for farmers in Zimbabwe. According to a critical review of the wheat industry in Zimbabwe by J Mutambara, A P Zvinavashe & E Mwakiwa, the average gross margin per hectare is negative, about – $461.00 and profits are about -$623.81 per hectare.
Zimbabwe imports wheat for two main reasons; to cover the deficit arriving from local wheat production so that we meet the 400 000 tonne national requirement and to enhance the quality of bread flour. After maize, wheat is the second most important food crop grown in Zimbabwe.
The above explanation gives one a clearer understanding as to why bread has gone up the way it has in Zimbabwe. But what is the solution? Why is Zimbabwe sourcing wheat so far? Are there no closer African countries that can supply the grain? We will reserve the last two questions for another day.
A solution may be found in the insights made by Andrew Matibiri the CEO of Zimbabwe Agricultural Society, a group responsible for promoting agricultural development in the country. Matibiri said the wheat shortages currently faced in Zimbabwe can serve as an opportunity for local farmers to produce more. In his words;
“This is an opportune time for our farmers to produce more, for the government and the private sector to work together, hand in hand, to support farmers who want to go into wheat production,
And thank God! We have been having some late rainfalls, which have been helping land preparations. So, all in all, the future of wheat production in this country is good.”
Matibiri expressed confidence in local farmers being able to produce sufficient amounts of wheat and possibly even export to other countries that may also be experiencing problems sourcing the grain. This would definitely ease the pressure on many Zimbabweans whose costs of living are being challenged daily by price hikes.