Malawi govt flaunts maize ban amid massive pilferage

The Malawi Government has reminded the business sector of a standing ban on maize exports.

The call from government comes amid concerns by the public of massive cases of traders buying maize from local farmers and proceeding to export the valuable commodity.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade the ban on maize exports still stands despite relaxation by many members of the general public because of the wide availability of the grain.

The ministry’s spokesperson Wiskesi Mkombezi said reminded all government apparatus within and along the borders to make sure that no-one exports maize because the ban on this still stands.

“Maize not just any grain in Malawi, it is a strategic commodity which influences various occurrences in the country social and economic status. Everyone can agree that there is always tension and uneasiness in Malawi when we are faced with shortages of maize. Therefore, business people must know that Malawi maize is not for export and all responsible officers should conduct their duties along these lines,” said Mkombezi.

Concerns about maize exports are coming from border districts of Mulanje, Chitipa, Dedza and Karonga where entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the enormous availability of the grain after harvest to buy at low prices and sell outside Malawi for huge profits.

A 50 kg bag of maize is now going at not more than K4,000 in many local markets which is down from around K8,000 the same quantity was selling between December 2013 to March 2014.

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