RYAN CHIGOCHE
The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has secured 400 000 metric tonnes of white maize from Malawi and Zambia, it has been learnt.
It comes after the government allowed private players with free funds to import grain to complement the local stock.
In a statement GMAZ chairman Tafadzwa Musarara said the grain is expected in the country by June 2022.
‘’I am pleased to inform the nation that GMAZ has secured 400 000 metric tonnes of white maize from Malawi and Zambia. About 40% of this maize will be coming from grain utility companies namely Food Reserve Agency of Zambia and Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) of Malawi. Preparations are now underway to ensure that the physical movement of this maize into Zimbabwe commences by no later than June 30 2022,’’ Musarara said.
Government moved to allow imports as part of efforts to deal with shortages caused by a drought that hit the country during the 2021/22 farming season.
Exacerbating the situation is the disruption in global commodity movement caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Zimbabwe requires 900 000 metric tonnes of maize for commercial milling every year to meet demand.
In total, Zimbabweans consume 1 600 000 while 400 000 tonnes of corn is required for livestock feed.
Owing to the drought, the recent Government’s second crop and livestock assessment report estimated that the country’s maize production fell by 43% to 1 557 914 metric tonnes (MT) in the 2021/22 cropping season from 2 717 171 MT produced in the 2020/21 season.
However, the government said the country has enough grain stocks in its strategic grain reserve to ensure food security for both people and livestock up to the next harvest.
