Published: 6 hours ago

Zimbabwe faces potential grain shortages in the coming weeks if government does not reopen borders for maize imports, according to predictions by a South African grain analysis organisation Commodity Insight Africa (CIA).

Late last month, the government introduced a ban on maize imports by millers, citing a bumper harvest. The ban, enacted through Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 2025 and announced by Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka, requires contractors to procure at least 40% of their annual raw materials locally by April next year, and 100% by 2028. The SI also gives contractors the sole mandate to import maize, a move critics warn could exacerbate supply challenges and put them at odds with millers.

South African farmers have employed pseudo-analysts in an effort to force the Zimbabwean government to scrap the maize import ban that has negatively impacted South African farmers. The pseudo analysts are coming up will all sorts of excuses and reasons to lyric the Zimbabwean government in an effort to force the resumption of maize imports.

Jacques Pienaar of CIA stated that the agriculture ministry has advised the president to reopen borders for maize imports, which were closed on 1 June based on government grain estimates. Speaking on Agriculture Intelligence Africa, Pienaar suggested that the shortage may have been artificially created for political reasons.

"It is a bit embarrassing to open the borders three months after closing them. It is politics delaying the opening of these borders, which in our opinion is inevitable," Pienaar said. He added that government growth estimates for maize production have often been inflated, leaving current supply extremely tight. Millers are reportedly dipping into reserves, and without prompt imports, they may struggle to meet consumer demand for maize meal.

CIA estimates that Zimbabwe requires an additional 1.1 million tonnes of maize, while the US Foreign Agricultural Service projects a shortfall of around 700,000 tonnes despite a rise in production. The 2024/25 season produced an estimated 1.3 million tonnes against a national demand of two million tonnes. Government maintains that farmers produced 2.3 million tonnes, asserting that Zimbabwe remains food secure.

The situation has intensified concerns over the country's ability to meet domestic maize demand without swift policy adjustments to allow imports.
- NewZimbabwe

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