Government Approves 501,620MT of Maize Exports

The Zambian government has approved the export of 501,620.51 metric tonnes (Mt) of surplus maize grain and mealie meal.

In a statement issued on 12 August 2025, Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said that the decision was made during the 15th Cabinet Meeting held on 11 August. He outlined that approval to export was “premised on the fact that the government has pronounced that agriculture is business.”

In the 2024-2025 farming season, Zambia produced an estimated 3.7 million Mt of maize grain, reflecting the success of government agricultural policies and strong farming performance. An additional 385,000 Mt was carried over from the previous season, bringing the total maize stock available for the 2025-2026 season to about 4.04 million Mt.

According to the 2025-2026 National Food Balance Sheet, Zambia’s annual maize requirements, for human consumption, industrial use, and strategic reserves, are estimated at 3.5 million Mt.

Therefore, in view of the surplus maize arising from the 2024-2025 bumper harvest, the cabinet approved the exportation of 63,883.61 Mt of maize grain and 350,189.60 Mt of mealie meal.

Mweetwa stressed that this export programme is expected to benefit local transporters, particularly Zambian truckers who will move the maize and mealie to neighbouring countries.

The government also anticipates that exports will bring the “much needed liquidity in the maize value chain and motivate farmers to expand production in subsequent seasons as the country drives towards the 10 million Mt production target.”