The Ministry of Trade has partially lifted the maize export ban to mop up last year’s maize stocks and create space for the anticipated more than one million metric tonnes (MT) surplus grain.

A statement from the Ministry’s Principal Secretary, Christina Zakeyo advised interested exporters to apply for export licenses to enable them export the staple grain.

She said, “The ministry wishes to stress that maize export licenses will only be issued to exporters with proof of verifiable maize stocks from the previous agricultural season.
“The licenses to be granted will have a validity period of three months from the date of issue.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Trade Sosten Gwengwe earlier said government will allow maize exports using exports mandates, where no commodity is exported unless it goes through a structured market.

Currently, export mandates apply for tea and tobacco.

The Minister said by using export mandates, government wants to ensure that foreign exchange is repatriated back to Malawi.

 The Malawi government imposed an uninterrupted maize ban from 2011/13 until end of 2017. In early February 2018 government reintroduced the ban to preserve the national grain reserve.