Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Times News
Published on 2024-03-15 08:57:46
The Ministry of Trade in Malawi has recently granted 20 traders licenses to import sugar from various countries in order to address the issue of scarcity of the commodity within the country. These traders will be importing sugar from Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Brazil, and South Africa, with the aim of stabilizing the supply and prices of sugar in Malawi.
Patrick Botha, a spokesperson for the Ministry, stated in an interview with The Daily Times that they are hopeful that this move will help alleviate the problem of sugar scarcity in the country. Botha also mentioned that the Ministry will be taking action against shops that are hoarding sugar or selling it at inflated prices, in order to ensure that the market remains fair and competitive.
So far, the Ministry of Trade has shut down seven shops in Lilongwe and Blantyre for engaging in such practices. By granting licenses to more traders, the Ministry hopes to increase competition in the market and bring down the prices of sugar for consumers. This move has been supported by John Kapito, the Executive Director of the Consumers Association of Malawi, who believes that more traders importing sugar will ultimately lead to lower prices for consumers.
According to spot-checks conducted by The Daily Times, Zambian sugar is currently being sold at prices ranging from K2,800 to K3,000 per kilogram in some parts of the country. This highlights the urgency of addressing the issue of sugar scarcity and high prices, which has been a concern for consumers in Malawi.
Overall, the granting of licenses to import sugar by the Ministry of Trade is seen as a positive step towards addressing the issue of scarcity and high prices of sugar in Malawi. By increasing competition in the market and cracking down on hoarding and price gouging, the Ministry hopes to stabilize the supply of sugar and ensure fair prices for consumers. This move has been welcomed by both government officials and consumer advocacy groups, who believe that it will ultimately benefit the people of Malawi by making sugar more accessible and affordable.
Read the original article on The Times
