Tanzania assures food traders of smooth cross-border trade
What you need to know:
- The government’s statement came a few days after Tanzania and Malawi agreed to lift import bans on agricultural produce imposed by the two countries
Dar es Salaam. The government has assured traders of smooth cross-border trade, saying borders will not be closed to prevent export of food crops.
Agriculture minister Hussein Bashe made the remarks in Dodoma during the laying of the foundation stone for the National Irrigation Commission (NIRC) offices.
He encouraged traders to take advantage of lucrative markets in the region, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi and Mozambique.
The government’s statement came a few days after Tanzania and Malawi agreed to lift import bans on agricultural produce imposed by the two countries.
On December 18 and 19, 2023, the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides (TPHPA) imposed an import ban on maize and soybeans from Malawi on the grounds that a thorough pest risk analysis was conducted to update the phytosanitary import requirements of produce from Malawi.
Malawian authorities reportedly announced a ban on unmilled maize from Tanzania and Kenya, citing concerns about the spread of maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND).
Mr Bashe said his docket has been issuing permits to businessmen for export of agriculture crops.
“Yesterday alone, I signed export permits issued to a number of traders who wanted to export produce to Mozambique. We signed others for traders to export food items to Zimbabwe. I call on Tanzanians to look for market opportunities. We are here for facilitation. Don’t wait for them to come to you,” he said.
A trader owning a milling plant in Sumbawanga has secured aexport permit to export flour to Malawi, Mr Bash added, noting that borders will not be closed to prevent exports.
