CHAMWE KAIRA
The Zambian government has lifted its export ban on maize grain and maize meal, allowing Namibian businesses to resume imports of the commodities through the Zambian Commodities Exchange (ZAMACE) platform.
The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) said it had received official notification of the decision through the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform (MAFWLR).
According to the NAU, the notification was contained in a circular signed by acting executive director, Alfred Sikopo.
The ministry said it had been informed by the ministry of international relations and trade, which received the communication from the Zambian High Commission.
The notice has since been circulated to Namibia’s agricultural unions, the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), and the Agro Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) for distribution to their members.
The lifting of the ban enables Namibian importers to source maize grain and maize meal from Zambia through the ZAMACE trading platform, potentially improving regional grain supplies.
The NAU said businesses seeking to import the commodities or requiring more information about the ZAMACE import process can contact the relevant Zambian authorities.
The union added that it will provide further guidance to its members as additional information becomes available.
The development is expected to improve access to maize supplies for Namibia, which imports grain to supplement domestic production, particularly during periods of lower local harvests.
The union has stated that NAU local white maize purchases are projected to increase from 70 000 tons in 2025 to 80 000 tons in 2026, while wheat remains significantly import-dependent, with only 16% of national demand expected to be met locally.
Grain prices are forecast to remain stable in 2026.
Zambia is projected to record another bumper harvest, exceeding last year’s record maize output of 3.9 million metric tonnes, with this year’s harvest projected at 4,937,605 metric tonnes, the highest maize production ever recorded in the country’s history, according to Zambia’s ministry of agriculture.
The country’s plan is to achieve its national agricultural targets of producing 10 million metric tonnes of maize, three million metric tonnes of soybeans, and one million metric tonnes of wheat annually by 2031.
