Africa-Press – Malawi. Trade Minister Sosten Gwengwe has said any importer who can source sugar outside the country is almost guaranteed to get a licence. This comes after Consumers Association of Malawi Executive Director John Kapito asked government to review its trade policy on sugar by opening up the market in the short term and allowing traders that have capacity to bring sugar into the country.
Kapito said this would ease some of the challenges Malawians face when they want to buy sugar. “For a long time, consumers have complained about the deliberate erratic scarcity and higher prices of sugar on the market. The recent sugar shortages and high prices are a surprise, especially at a time when consumers are experiencing the highest cost of living,” Kapito said.
However, Gwengwe said the problem is that there is a shortage of the commodity in the region, citing Tanzania, where sugar is in short supply. He added that countries such as India have restricted their sugar exports, such that pricing has become an issue.
He said Brazil is the key source of sugar at the moment. Earlier this week, the Competition and Fair Trading Commission spoke against the practice of hoarding sugar.
Meanwhile, economic commentator Velli Nyirongo has said it is high time the government assisted local Malawians with resources that would help them start producing sugar in various parts of the country. Nyirongo cited small-holder sugar growers as key to the process
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