Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Edible oils
The Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) has welcomed the decision by government to lift the ban on importation of edible oils saying it will no doubt mitigate the rising price of cooking oil in the country.
The consumer organization has however urged government to formulate policies that will protect local oil producers.
ZACA Information Officer Juba Sakala says it is clear that some producers of cooking oil took advantage of the ban and increased prices of cooking oil which made consumers purchasing it at higher price.
Mr. Sakala says the move will also bring about competition as well as meet the current demand of cooking oil in the country.
He has since encouraged local oil producers to engage government on various issues affecting them in their production so that all issues affecting them are resolved.
Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda on Thursday told parliament that Government has lifted the ban on the importation of edible oils to mitigate the rising price of cooking oil on the domestic market and that the decision was intended to meet domestic demand for the commodity by promoting competition among retailers and wholesalers.