South Africa welcomes Zimbabwe’s lifting of maize import ban
South Africa welcomed Zimbabwe lifting its maize import ban under SI 87 of 2025, reopening a key regional market. Agriculture Minister Steenhuisen hailed the move as vital for food security, regional trade, and consumer welfare. He emphasized predictable, efficient markets and collaboration within SADC to support sustainable growth and agribusiness confidence.
South Africa’s Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has welcomed Zimbabwe’s decision to lift its ban on maize and grain imports, describing the move as a major step toward strengthening regional food security and economic cooperation.
The decision was gazetted under Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 2025, effectively reopening one of South Africa’s key regional export markets for both white and yellow maize.
“This is an extremely welcome development that underscores the collective responsibility we share in ensuring food sufficiency,” Steenhuisen said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The agricultural sector thrives on predictability and efficiency, and restrictive trade measures—while sometimes intended to protect local producers—too often lead to market distortions that ultimately harm the consumer.”
Steenhuisen said the removal of Zimbabwe’s maize import ban was crucial for food security and consumer welfare across the Southern African region, particularly within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“By allowing the free flow of maize, particularly white maize which is a staple food across much of the continent, we are sending a clear signal of confidence to our agribusinesses and exporters,” he said.
Steenhuisen said the Department of Agriculture remained committed to collaborating with regional partners to promote fair, open, and efficient agricultural trade, describing it as “the cornerstone of sustainable growth and poverty alleviation in Southern Africa.”
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Source : New Zimbabwe
