30 000 tonnes of wheat expected

THE Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) last Thursday said it was expecting a wheat consignment of 30 000 tonnes this week to avert bread shortages.

GMAZ public relations manager Mr Garikai Chaunza said they have made an alternative after more than 100 trucks got stuck at Beira, Mozambique, following extensive destruction of the road network by tropical Cyclone Idai.

Some of the wheat consignment stuck at Beira was also affected by the rains, compromising its quality.

Locally the cyclone has left a trail of destruction in the eastern parts of the country and has since claimed more than 250 with more persons still missing.

“We still have more than 100 trucks of wheat which are stuck at Beira because they were affected by Cyclone Idai.

“Now we are further expecting another consignment of 30 000 tonnes of wheat, which is coming from abroad and will be docking at Beira,” he said.

He also said the consignment will be further transported to Chikwalakwala where the road network is still perfect.

“We are planning to direct that ship to dock in Maputo then after docking the wheat will be transported via Chikwalakwala where the road network is still perfect,” said Mr Chaunza.

Recently, GMAZ chairman Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said there has been limited supplies of wheat and bakers are getting around 45 percent of their requirements.

He said that the country was importing another type of wheat for bread to improve the quality and its availability.