GOVERNMENT has unlocked the potential of its agricultural abundance by approving the historic export of 501,620 metric tonnes of maize grain, or its equivalent mealie meal, to neighbouring countries in the region.
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This is as a result of the recent 2024/2025 farming season, where the country emerged as a maize powerhouse, yielding an impressive 3.7 million metric tonnes of maize grain, coupled with a carry-over stock of 385,000 metric tonnes from the previous season.
It resulted in a total stock of 4.040 million metric tonnes of maize grain for 2025/2026 period, far exceeding the National requirements of 3.5 million metric tonnes per annum.
According to chief government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa, Cabinet approved the historic export of 63,883 metric tonnes of maize grain, part of which is early maize at 28,883.61 and maize held by the members of the Grain Traders Association of Zambia, amounting to 35,000 metric tonnes.
Mweetwa stated that to further bolster the export initiative, cabinet sanctioned the sale of 350,189.6 metric tonnes of mealie meal to several countries in the region, leveraging the surplus maize supply to drive regional food security and agricultural trade.
Despite the vast export approval, cabinet underscored the importance of prioritising national food security, ensuring that the country’s citizens have sufficient maize reserves to meet their needs.
Cabinet also emphasised the importance of proper storage of the maize under the National Strategic Reserves to prevent any waste or loss.
In line with its commitment to domestic empowerment, the Cabinet affirmed that Zambian truckers should take the lead in transporting the maize and mealie meal exports to neighbouring countries, promoting local economic development and job creation in the transportation sector.
“Further, Cabinet emphasised that the Food Reserve Agency, should continue and expedite the buying of maize which is still lying out there with farmers country-wide,” Mweetwa revealed.
“Cabinet indicated that the Export Programme will bring in the country, 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.”
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba August 12, 2025
