Zimbabwe has reinstated its ban on maize imports after recording a bumper harvest that has met national consumption needs, Reuters reported. The move is aimed at safeguarding domestic producers and stabilizing local market prices following years of dependency on imports.
Maize output for the 2024/25 season rebounded sharply from just 800,000 metric tons in the previous drought year to levels exceeding the 1.8 million metric tons required annually, a turnaround driven by favorable rainfall and government initiatives such as the Pfumvudza smallholder scheme, Reuters detailed.
Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, noted that local supplies are being closely monitored daily to ensure farmers’ crops are prioritized in the domestic market. Analysts cited by Reuters cautioned, however, that while the outlook is positive, the sector remains exposed to climate volatility, with the government pushing for diversification into drought-resistant grains like sorghum and millet.
The reintroduction of the import ban is also expected to ease pressure on Zimbabwe’s foreign currency reserves, which were previously strained by maize import bills reaching nearly $300 million in 2020, Reuters highlighted.
