ZAMBIA suspended maize exports to Zimbabwe last week to help build reserves in light of a looming El Nino-induced drought.
The suspension has affected local grain importers who are now battling to bring in about 70 000 tonnes of maize worth $24 million which they had already purchased.
"The future (in Zambia) is uncertain because they are also putting an importation programme," Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe Mr Tafadzwa Musarara told a stakeholder workshop on the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio Economic Transformation.
Mr Musarara said the GMAZ has since engaged the Zambian authorities to have the maize released. The local grain companies were importing from Zambian private dealers after the Zambian government banned exports by state-owned Food Reserve Agency.
Zimbabwe now intends to import grain from South America.
- Herald
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