President Peter Mutharika lifted Malawi’s maize export ban with immediate effect earlier this week. This comes after an increase in maize production. An estimated 3.2 million tons is expected for the country’s 2017/’18 maize harvest. According to South African agricultural business chamber Agbiz, this is an increase of 33% from…
Mukula traders, reeling from the adverse effects of the moratorium on the export of the sought-after timber species, have dragged the Zambian government to court. Government last month imposed an export ban on several species, including Mukula, to curb illegal harvest and trade. The legal action comes only days after…
Sawmillers are appealing to government to lift the Mukula trade ban, but government is refusing to budge. In a related developed, details about the mukula-laden trucks which were cleared to transit through Zambia, are still sketchy. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Jean Kapata said government will continue to protect…
The Zambian government will no longer impose maize export restrictions as it gears to promote grain trade in the region. Last month, government lifted a moratorium on the export of raw and processed maize which was in place for 18 months, but then immediately imposed a 10% export duty on…
The Zambian government, claiming victory over the smuggling of Mukula logs, has released 272 impounded trucks. But local traders complain that the export ban on this and other species is killing their livelihood. Lands and Environment Minister Jean Kapata said the trucks were released after it was established that their…
This is you monthly update on southern African markets. KENYA In late March, the Government of Kenya issued an alert on the outbreak of Fall Armyworm (FAW). It has infested crops in Western, North and South Rift regions affecting the following counties: Baringo, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Kericho, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok,…
The National Union of Small-Scale Farmers of Zambia (NUSFAZ) is urging government to lift its maize export ban to avert a grain market crisis. Frank Kayula, NUSFAZ president, said lifting the ban will help provide a solution for the growing problem of a good maize harvest, but poor returns. “There…
The Zambian government is considering another temporary waiver on its moratorium on maize exports, after a request from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to import 20 000 tons of maize. Last week government issued a similar waiver for the export of 10 000 tons of maize to Zimbabwe. “We…
The Zambian National Farmers Union (ZNFU) dashed consumer hopes for a reduction in mealie-meal prices at the back of a recent deal involving government, millers and grain traders. ZNFU president Jervis Zimba is doubtful that the deal will result in a reduction of mealie-meal prices. He says ZNFU established that…
Zambian timber producers have appealed to government to rescind the export ban that came into effect on Wednesday. Timber Producers Association (TPA) president Charles Masange says the ban will have a detrimental effect on the economy. “Timber exports contribute greatly to the national economy and treasury, and the ban will…
Pressure is mounting on South Africa for maize supply to their drought stricken neighbours due to recent export bans implemented in Zambia. According to Agbiz, the South African chamber of agricultural business, Zambia might maintain these export bans, and this could potentially draw regional demand to South Africa. Unfortunately due…
