By Brighton Thengoliweta Chimsinde

Mchinji, June 7, Mana: People in Mchinji have expressed concern over higher prices of sugar in the district as compared to other districts in the country.

The concern was raised during a snap survey which Malawi News Agency (Mana) conducted on challenges people are facing in accessing sugar, and how accessible the commodity is on the market in the border district.

A wholesaler, Chikumbutso Chimwendo plying his trade at Matutu Trading Centre in the area of Chief Mduwa in the district, said pricing of sugar is not stable because it is still scarce on the market which has made some of the wholesalers travel to Lilongwe to procure the product.

Chimwendo said they incur extra expenses to get the product from other districts consequently resulting in higher price for them to make profit.

“The price of sugar is not stable because of its scarcity. For instance, some retailers are still selling a packet of one Kilogramme (Kg) at MK3, 500 or MK4, 000. So far the whole district has only Wautali Distributor operational and with inadequate supply.

“It is my plea that the relevant authorities consider establishing an additional sugar distribution depot in the district as it was sometimes back where we had Simama Depot at the boma,” Chimwendo said.

In neighbouring districts of Lilongwe and Kasungu sugar is being sold between MK2, 200 and MK2, 800.

Vice Council Chairperson of Mchinji District Council, Mickson Chikutu said people in his ward are still buying a packet of sugar at a minimum price of MK3, 500.

Wautali Distribution Mchinji Depot Manager, Chipiliro Yotamu said price of Sugar in Mchinji is not stable because of porous international boundaries, low supply, higher demand, and instability of the Malawi kwacha.

“It is true that the retail price of Illovo Sugar is on the rise because smugglers are ferrying the sugar to Zambia as it is in demand because of its good quality. In addition, the price is not stable because we have been receiving 90 tonnes per week of sugar for the entire district which is inadequate.

“At least 150 tonnes of the commodity per week should be enough for the district. Another thing is that the instability of the Malawi kwacha against other foreign currencies is disturbing the effort of normalizing the situation,” Yotamu said.