Malawi Bans Maize Exports to Preempt Food Shortages

Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika said on Wednesday that he had banned the export of the country’s maize and maize products to stop dishonest business people from depleting the country’s grain reserves.

Speaking at public rally in Mulanje District of southern Malawi, Mutharika charged that the businessmen were hoarding the maize in warehouses of neighbors like Mozambique, Zambian and Tanzania in order to create an artificial shortage within Malawi, with the aim of bringing back the maize later after the prices have risen here due to the scarcity.

So to ensure food security, the export ban of maize was with immediate effect, he added.

“The ban shall be lifted after government is satisfied with the situation of food in the country. But for now, we would like to address the current scarcity of food in some parts of the country,” he said.

He warned that anyone exporting maize and maize products will be liable to prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the control of the Goods Act of Import and Export.

The ban, however, does not affect the ongoing export of the 400,000 metric tonnes of maize to Zimbabwe which began late last year.

Source African Press Agency

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