Tanga harvest lowers Dar maize prices

DAR ES SALAAM: MAIZE prices in Dar es Salaam have dropped, benefiting consumers following a bumper harvest in Tanga Region.

Maize from Tanga pushed prices in the Dar es Salaam market down by over 23 per cent, with a kilogramme of maize falling from around 850/- to 650/-, undercutting maize from Ruvuma, Mbeya, Rukwa and Dodoma.

Tandale trader, Mr Nassoro Salum attributed the price drop to the Tanga harvest, noting lower transport costs during this season.

Meanwhile, wholesale trader Ms Marietha Songoma said Dodoma maize, known for its high quality and kernel hardness ideal for flour and processing, remains slightly more expensive at 750/- per kg despite a 12 per cent price decline.

“Maize price always fluctuates often than other grains.” The Tandale market, according to ‘Daily News’ spot survey, receives 30 to 40 tonnes of maize per day since it is one of the highly demanded grains in Dar—the largest city in the country.

ALSO READ: TBL, PETPRO scalable glass recycling to promote circular economy

Transportation costs for maize from Tanga to Dar es Salaam are lower, ranging from 6,000/- to 8,000/- per 100 kilogrammes, compared to 8,000/- to 10,000/- from Mbeya or Dodoma.

This makes it more affordable and easier for sellers to move their products from Tanga. However, some traders, like Mr Kassim Hoba, are struggling to recover losses after buying maize at higher prices before the recent drop.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Weekly Market Bulletin, maize prices remained stable last month compared to June, holding steady at 800/- per kg in Dodoma, Morogoro, Arusha and Mara and at 900/- in Geita, Simiyu and Dar es Salaam.