Reported by: The Agency Media
Lusaka, 18th July, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
The Ministry of Agriculture has clarified that the Government of Zambia has not signed any Memorandum of Understanding with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) regarding the export of maize or mealie meal.
In a statement issued by Acting Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Eng. Peter C. Kapala, the Government confirmed that while it has received export enquiries from the DRC and other neighbouring countries, negotiations on potential maize exports are still ongoing.
This clarification comes as Zambia records a bumper harvest of 3,655,646 metric tonnes of maize this year, in addition to a carryover stock of 384,999 metric tonnes from the previous season, bringing the total available maize to 4,040,645 metric tonnes.
The country’s national maize requirement for human consumption, industrial use, and strategic food reserves currently stands at 3,539,024 metric tonnes, leaving Zambia with a projected surplus of 501,621 metric tonnes.
The Ministry indicated that any potential maize exports will only be considered once the Food Reserve Agency secures the required tonnage for strategic reserves and the national food security position is guaranteed.
Currently, the Government’s priority remains the purchase of maize from farmers to build strategic reserves, while also opening satellite depots in areas where moisture content has reached the required 12.5 percent to facilitate safe storage.
This approach underscores President Hakainde Hichilema’s, New Dawn Government’s commitment to safeguarding national food security while exploring structured export opportunities for surplus maize in the form of mealie meal and other value-added products.
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Hon Eng Peter Chibwe Kapala
Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia
The Agency
