Dar es Salaam. The government assured traders that it would not close borders to prevent the export of food crops and assured smooth cross-border trade.
Minister of Agriculture Hussein Bache made the remarks during the laying of the foundation stone of the National Irrigation Commission (NIRC) office in Dodoma.
He encouraged traders to take advantage of favorable markets in the region, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Malawi and Mozambique.
The government's statement came days after Tanzania and Malawi agreed to lift bans on agricultural imports imposed by both countries.
On 18 and 19 December 2023, the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) announced that a thorough pest risk analysis had been carried out to update the phytosanitary import requirements for agricultural products from Malawi. imposed a ban on imports of corn and soybeans from
Malawian authorities have reportedly announced a ban on unmilled maize from Tanzania and Kenya, citing concerns over the spread of maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND).
Bashe said his document issues permits to businessmen to export agricultural products.
“Yesterday alone, I signed export permits issued to a number of traders who wish to export agricultural products to Mozambique. We signed contracts for traders to export food products to Zimbabwe. “I call on Tanzanians to look for market opportunities. We are here to facilitate. Don't wait for them to come to you,” he said. .
A trader who owns a flour mill in Sumbawanga province has secured an export permit to export flour to Malawi, Bash added, noting that the border will not be closed to prevent exports.
