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Maize Marketing And Pricing In Lesotho: Implications For Policy Reform

Author

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  • Makenete, Andrew L.
  • Ortmann, Gerald F.
  • Darroch, Mark A.G.

Abstract

A study was conducted during 1994-1995 amongst policy makers, government officials, retailers and millers in Lesotho to review the maize marketing system and procedures for setting maize prices at producer, mill-gate and consumer levels. Set prices distort price signals which influence decisions to allocate and distribute resources to provide goods and services for markets. Lesotho is a net importer of maize grain, the major staple, implying that maize pricing and marketing policy affect food security. Results indicate flexible informal marketing channels, fixed formal marketing channels and declining real producer, mill-gate and consumer prices in recent years Falling real South African Maize Board export grain prices and evidence of subsidies to commercial Lesotho mills explain these price trends. Changes to the one channel formal marketing system and nationally administered price structure that would encourage an open market system with less restrictive interregional maize trade are recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Makenete, Andrew L. & Ortmann, Gerald F. & Darroch, Mark A.G., 1997. "Maize Marketing And Pricing In Lesotho: Implications For Policy Reform," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 36(1), pages 1-18, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:agreko:54977
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.54977
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    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/54977/files/Ortmann%20-%20March%201997.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Faminow, Merle D. & Laubscher, J. M., 1991. "Empirical testing of alternative price spread models in the South African maize market," Agricultural Economics, Blackwell, vol. 6(1), pages 49-66, October.
    2. E. C. Pasour, 1980. "Cost of Production: A Defensible Basis for Agricultural Price Supports?," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 62(2), pages 244-248.
    3. Merle D. Faminow & J.M. Laubscher, 1991. "Empirical testing of alternative price spread models in the South African maize market," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 6(1), pages 49-66, October.
    4. Gray, John, 1992. "Maize pricing policy in Eastern and Southern Africa," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 17(6), pages 409-419, December.
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    1. van Schalkwyk, Herman D. & van Zyl, Johan & Botha, P.W. & Bayley, B., 1997. "Deregulation of Lesotho's maize market," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 36(4), pages 1-12, December.

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