Local producers and retailers have accepted a price moratorium announced by Vice President Kembo Mohadi on Wednesday.
VP Mohadi announced that prices of basic foodstuffs – including maize-meal, rice, cooking oil, sugar, salt, flour and bread — will revert to the levels of March 25, just before the lockdown.
President of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) Denford Mutashu confirmed that his organisation took part in the negotiations that resulted in the agreement to freeze prices. He said:
As the general public stays at home it deserves an uninterrupted supply of basic commodities at affordable prices.
We will also ensure that as retailers we will fully implement and comply with the price moratorium and ensure that the citizenry does not starve at this critical time.
It is our wish to work with manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that there is a supply of these basic commodities.
Meanwhile, the Oil Expressers Association of Zimbabwe (OEAZ), the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ), and the National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) all said they supported the decision.