Own Correspondent|Subsidised mealie-meal supplies have remained erratic across the country, with major supermarkets running out of the commodity, forcing most consumers to access it on the black market.

The shortages have also turned some people into “professional queuers” as they hop from one supermarket to the other anticipating deliveries, either for own consumption or for the black market.

A consumer, Mr Raymond Muza said since Sunday, he had been trying to buy mealie-meal from Westgate Shopping Mall, but there were no supplies.

“I decided to come to the Central Business District, but there is no single shop selling it,” he said.

He ended up buying a bucket of maize at Mbare Musika for $110.

Other consumers said they had been getting the product on rare occasions.

In Bindura, there were no supplies, with the last deliveries having been witnessed at OK Supermarket last weekend.

Vendors are selling a 10kg bag of mealie-meal for $70 cash at Chipadze and Chiwaridzo shopping centres.

In Masvingo, all major retailers had no stocks.

A few shops in the city that had supplies were selling a 10kg bag for $65.

Some unscrupulous “professional buyers” are reported to be buying the subsidised mealie-meal for resale at the main Chitima Market for prices ranging between $65 and $70.

In Beitbridge, most retail shops have imported brands from South Africa.

On average, a 12,5kg is being sold for R50 in South Africa and R60 in Zimbabwe.

Local brands are being sold at around $110 per 10kg bag.

In the Midlands Province, residents are relying on imported brands, with retailers and wholesalers saying they last received mealie-meal deliveries about two weeks ago.

Gain Cash and Carry Gweru branch was the last to receive mealie-meal, but was forcing consumers to buy groceries of $1 000 and above to get the subsidised mealie-meal.

In Mutare, there is serious shortage of the subsidised mealie-meal as all major supermarkets did not have supplies.

OK Supermarket got supplies on Monday and they ran out, while Pick n Pay got a delivery yesterday.

“We only received 200 bags of 10kg maize meal and these were snapped up by customers the moment we put them on our shelves,” said a Pick and Pay employee.

Other major shops like Spar are still to receive supplies this week.

Source: State Media