ZNFU

Zambia is poised to be self-sufficient in potatoes if the export/import environment is properly regulated. This came to light during the Fruits and Veg Commodity Committee meeting held at ZNFU-HQ. The meeting also identified uncontrolled imports and weak compliance with SPS requirements as the biggest threats which bring in plant diseases that can negatively affect the local potato industry. Information on how to reduce the incidence of banana bunchy top disease, a viral disease which has crippled banana production in some parts of the country was also presented by the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) during the same meeting. Other updates which were provided during the meeting included:

Egg farmers have complained of a flooded local market and are wondering as to why the market uptake has drastically reduced. The week has also seen egg prices nose-diving. A ZNFU check at Kasumbalesa border, found an increased influx of egg producers (poultry farmers) and traders ferrying the commodity through the border into DRC.Traders talked confirmed an increased supply of eggs, a development they said has led to reduced prices for the commodity. The price for one tray at the border renowned for highest egg prices has dropped to an average low of KR20/tray. The low price has been attributed to an increase in poultry farmers supplying smaller eggs at a cheaper price of as low as K15/tray at one of Zambia’s busiest boarder post.