MAIZE PRODUCERS OPTIMISTIC THIS YEAR

The Bawku, Tamale, Techiman and Hohoe markets registered flat trading in maize (white, grain) over the week at the wholesale level. Wholesale prices remained unchanged at Ghc 0.63, Ghc 0.55, Ghc 0.62 and Ghc 0.69 respectively. However, the Agbogbloshie, Kumasi Central and Takoradi market recorded marginal dips in prices in the commodity at the same trading level. Prices dropped by 4%(Ghc 0.91 to Ghc 0.87), 5% (Ghc 1.05 to Ghc 1.00) and 6% (Ghc 9.00 to Ghc 0.85) respectively.

Prices of maize (white, grain) have remained very high over a year now due to poor yield in the lean season of 2011. Players in the maize trading industry, especially producers are optimistic that they will have a bumper harvest in the two seasons this year. Should this materialize, prices of the commodity are more likely to be on the decline. Currently, traders are to some extent complementing available stock with imports from neighboring countries like Togo and Burkina Faso.