Zambia and DRC Sign New Maize Deal

The governments of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed a new trade deal that will see the former export roughly 600,000 metric tonnes of maize and meali meal, starting in 2020.

The agreement was signed after negotiations were concluded at the Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka.

Trade had previously been conducted between the two nations, but only on an informal basis.  The new deal will formalise the process, ensuring more structured systems are in place.  It is also hoped to curtail the threat of smuggling.  

The plan means that Zambian farmers have until the end of the next harvest before.  The country’s stocks are not currently at the required level, owing largely to a particularly poor harvest this year.

Zambia’s Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo, who signed the deal, said he was confident that with the correct measures in place, the 2019/20 agricultural season will see an increase in maize production.

Back in 2016 the government of Zambia banned the export of maize over fears of shortages, so this agreement is a public testimony to how far they have come.  

Yet despite this, it remains to be seen whether 600,000 metric tonnes is a realistic target.  The US Department of Agriculture estimated that Zambia will have roughly 100,000 tonnes of surplus maize for export.  

The government will be hoping to prove them wrong.