South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has welcomed Zimbabwe’s decision to lift its ban on maize and other grain imports, describing it as a key step toward strengthening regional food security and economic cooperation.
In a statement released on 22 October 2025, Minister Steenhuisen said Zimbabwe’s move, enacted under Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 2025, marks a return to sound economic principles essential for the prosperity and stability of Southern Africa. “The agricultural sector thrives on predictability and efficiency. Restrictive trade measures, while sometimes intended to protect local producers, often lead to market distortions that ultimately harm consumers,” Steenhuisen said.
He highlighted that allowing the free flow of maize, particularly white maize—a staple across much of the continent—would benefit both consumers and producers. “By allowing the free flow of maize, particularly white maize that our people on the continent consume as a staple food, we are sending a clear signal of confidence to our agribusinesses and exporters,” he added.
Steenhuisen noted that the move would encourage investment and boost production across the Southern African Development Community region. “It strengthens regional integration and ensures that surplus-producing nations can readily meet the needs of their neighbours,” he said. The minister described the decision as an “extremely welcome development” that underscores the shared responsibility of Southern African countries in achieving food sufficiency.
“Exports stabilise local prices and the Zimbabwean market plays an important role for both white and yellow maize,” Steenhuisen said. The South African Department of Agriculture reaffirmed its commitment to working with regional partners to promote fair, open, and efficient trade in agricultural products. The department stated that this approach would support sustainable growth and poverty alleviation across Southern Africa.
The announcement follows months of discussions among regional agricultural and trade bodies urging Zimbabwe to relax import restrictions amid growing concerns over food security and price volatility. This move is expected to benefit regional markets, stabilize grain prices, and strengthen the Southern African economy by ensuring surplus maize can reach countries facing shortages.
