Govt lifts ban on export of mealie meal

Government has with immediate effect lifted the ban on the export of mealie meal.

Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo has announced in a statement made to Q-News.

Mr. Katambo however notes that his Ministry will apply a regulated export regime that it has been using to facilitate maize  seed  exports through the Eastern and Southern Africa region.

He states that this is in order to ensure a smooth flow of exports of mealie meal.

Mr. Katambo notes that millers who have accessed the government subsidized maize from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA)  will not be allowed to get export permits for mealie meal.

He says state security agencies will also remain on alert in strategic cross-borders points to ensure that illegal exports are kept in check.

The Minister of Agriculture states that these measures were arrived at in consultation with key stakeholders in the sector.

And Mr. Katambo has disclosed that the Country has in excess of 700, 000 metric tons of maize grain stocks.

He says government is therefore convinced that the Country is food secure and that mealie meal prices will remain fairly stable.