Mon, 18 Sep 2017 13:58:32 +0000 By Mailesi Banda GOVERNMENT should intervene over the freight rates being charged on the exporting of vegetables from Zambia, as this is making the sector uncompetitive in the region, Jina Foods chief executive officer, Jean Habimana has observed. Mr Habimana said compared to Uganda which dominated exports into the European market, Zambian prices were on the higher side, adding that if they were to penetrate the market, there was need for Government to intervene. He said while Uganda offered a $1.3 per kilogramme as freight rate, the Zambia Export Growers Association (ZEGA) stood at $5.35 for the same quantity. Mr Habimana explained that the rate that ZEGA was offering was among the most expensive in the region, adding that once the fees were relaxed, there was potential for more exports to leave Zambia especially vegetables, crops and fruits. “It seems as if the high freight charges are a mechanism […]
