Zambia’s current population stands at approximately 18 349 639 according to Worldometer elaboration latest United Nations data, with most people occupying a large strip of cultivatable farmland in the country.
Given its low population density, abundant sub-surface water, large tracts of cultivable farmland and proximity to large neighboring deficit food markets, Zambia enjoys significant potential as a prospective regional food exporter.
Despite this considerable agricultural potential, Zambia remains irregularly food deficit in poor harvest years, sufficient in normal years and experiences food surplus in good harvest years.
Maize prices fluctuate considerably from year to year as a result of domestic production volatility and a desire for government control of cross-border trade in food staples.
Due to the current economic crisis being experienced around the world caused by Covid-19 the cost of food in the country has increased to 17.50 percent in May alone compared to the same month in the previous year.
As at today the basic food basket in some of the country’s market as compiled by Money FM News is as follows;
A tray of eggs is selling at K35, a meda of Beans is selling at K100, a 25kg of Mealie meal is selling between K140 and K145, a 2.5litre of cooking oil at K47, 2kg bag of Sugar at K30.
And finally a sack of potatoes is selling between K60 and K70. Other non-essential food commodities remain on a fluctuating trend and vary from town to town depending on transport costs, fuel and location.