Zambia Imports 650,000 Tons of Maize Amidst Drought Crisis

Zambia plans to import 650,000 metric tons of white maize from Tanzania due to a severe drought that cut production by over 50%. The 2023/2024 crop season's production is expected to drop to 1.5 million tons from the previous year's 3.2 million tons. The government has suspended maize exports to manage the deficit.

Zambia plans to import 650,000 metric tons of white maize from Tanzania after drought cut production by over more than 50%, Information Minister Cornelius Mweetwa said on Wednesday. Zambia's maize production in the 2023/2024 crop season is expected to decrease to 1.5 million tons from 3.2 million tons the previous season, according to a crop forecasting survey.

"The government has reached an initial agreement with the Tanzanian government to import 650,000 tons of white maize," Mweetwa said in a statement announcing cabinet decisions. Agriculture Minister Mtolo Phiri said in Parliament on Tuesday the country suspended maize exports following a deficit of 2.1 million tons and would import the staple grain.