Govt rejects claim Blue Ribbon, 23 millers shut down over maize shortage
The Zimbabwean government has officially denied reports that Blue Ribbon Industries and other millers in Bulawayo have ceased operations due to maize shortages. Officials claim the rumors are manufactured by 'elitist interests' and cite increased national grain production figures to reassure the public.
Why it matters
Food security and agricultural stability are critical issues in Zimbabwe, and government efforts to manage public perception of grain supplies are central to economic stability.
Government has rejected claims that Blue Ribbon Industries and 23 other millers have shut down operations in Bulawayo because of maize shortages, accusing “elitist interests” of exploiting the company’s name to manufacture a national grain crisis and push for increased grain imports.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development said it had obtained information directly from Blue Ribbon and the other millers named in the claims.
“That information does not support the false narrative being circulated.
“Blue Ribbon and the 23 named millers have not shut down their milling operations,” the ministry said.
The government intervention follows a report that Blue Ribbon and 23 other millers in the southern region had stopped milling because of declining supplies of locally produced maize.
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