Zimbabwe agrees to sell maize to Rwanda

Zimbabwe is to export 10,000 tonnes of maize to Rwanda and is in talks to export part of its wheat stocks to neighbours, Cabinet says.

The government says the Grain Marketing Board is currently holding 204 084 metric tonnes of maize. The maize will be distributed among local millers and the export market, Cabinet said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Millers and stock-feed manufacturers are being allocated 27 000 mt, SILO Foods 16 000 mt per month, and an additional 10 000 mt will be sold to Rwanda. The available grain will last 5.6 months. This shows that Zimbabwe has sufficient grain to carry it through to the next season," Cabinet said.

While Zimbabwe plans to export grain, some countries in the region are restricting exports due to fears over shortages. Tanzania, the largest maize producer in East Africa, began restricting maize exports to its neighbours in April. Zambia also recently halted exports to the DRC, a major destination for its maize.

In April, Rwanda put price controls on maize meal, fining businesses who increased prices.

PM