Zimbabwe’s currency, the Zimdollar eased marginally against the United States dollar to 81,3531 from last week’s 81,3499 following the latest foreign currency auction.

Tuesday’s auction saw the highest number of bidders, with total bidders on the main platform rising to 274 from last week’s 238.

This week 238 bids were successful.

Rising demand for foreign currency on the auction platform drove the highest bid to $89 from $87,1 last week, while the lowest accepted bid also rose to $80 (from $79 previously).

On the SMEs board, the highest bid remained at $86, although the lowest successful bid rose to $79,9 from $79 last week.

Total bids on the SMEs board remained at 146.

Total foreign currency allocation was lower at US$27,8 million from US$28, 7 million, with the main auction accounting for US$26,1 million. SMEs took up US$1,67 million.

Yesterday, the raw materials segment accounted for the bulk of the allotments with US$10,45 million on the main auction and US$445 902 on the SMEs board.

Machinery and equipment came in second with US$4,3 million on the main and US$237 171 on the SMEs. And consumables came in third on the main auction at US$2,7 million.

And on the SMEs section, consumables took up US$454 901.