Livestock farmers have confirmed that stockfeed availability across Zambia has improved following the export restrictions that had been put in place. Some parts of Zambia had even started recording shortages while some farmers complained of being forced to buy in bulk to secure feed.
Lon the issue of when the prices are expected to fall following the increased supply as well as appreciation of the Kwacha of about 30% in the last three to four weeks, a source at Novatek told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that prices can only fall after six (6) months.
And Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Permanent Secretary Benson Mwenya stated that the suspension of the issuance of export permits for stockfeed has stabilized the availability of stockfeed in the country. Mwenya said the availability of stockfeed would help address the high cost of feed that was being experienced on the local market.
Speaking in an interview with ZBT, Mwenya said the recent appreciation of the kwacha is expected to also contribute to the reduction in prices adding that most suppliers of stockfeed would reduce prices as soon as they get rid of the old stock.
A check by ZBT showed that stockfeed suppliers have maintained prices despite the ministry’s efforts to see reduction in prices by issuing a temporal ban on the issuance of export permits for stockfeed about a month ago. Some feed outlets spoken to could not confirm when their old stocks would be finished and when they project to reduce prices.
One of the stockfeed suppliers – Quantum Foods is selling their starter feed at K427, grower feed at K401 and finisher feed at K386 with no indication of when they expect to start reducing prices. Another, Novatek Animal Feeds is selling their starter feed at K532, feed grower at K508 and finisher feed at K490.
A Novatek Animal Feeds staff whose identify has been withheld told ZBT that their customers would only be able to see a price reduction of stockfeed after about six months as the company imports raw materials that last for about six months, which it uses in the manufacturing of stockfeed.
The company source explained that Novatek imports enough raw materials, which enables it to manufacture feed to be sold for six months, therefore the recent appreciation of the kwacha will only affect the prices of the stockfeed after six months.
A month ago, the Ministry of Livestock halted the issuance of export permits for stockfeed due to the steep increase in prices of stockfeed. The suspension of the issuance of stockfeed and its ingredients was meant to address the continued increase of stockfeed prices on the market despite the key ingredients being sourced locally.
The issuance of export permits for stockfeed was suspended with immediate effect on 25th July, 2021 and Ministry of Livestock instituted an investigation and directed producers of stockfeed not to increase prices of their products until concerns of livestock farmers were reviewed and resolved.
However, firms with valid and already issued export permits were allowed to conclude their exports as some may have already committed to contracts of supply. The suspension of new export permits issuance followed concerns that government received from some livestock farmers on the pricing and availability of stockfeed.
