South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has applauded Zimbabwe’s decision to lift its ban on the importation of maize and other grains, describing it as a step towards strengthening regional food security and economic cooperation.
In a statement released on 22 October 2025, Minister Steenhuisen said the move, gazetted under Zimbabwe’s new Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 2025, marks a significant return to sound economic principles vital for the prosperity and stability of the Southern African region.
“The agricultural sector thrives on predictability and efficiency, and restrictive trade measures, while sometimes intended to protect local producers, too often lead to market distortions that ultimately harm the consumer,” he said.
The minister emphasized that allowing the free flow of maize, particularly white maize—a staple food across much of the continent—would have far-reaching benefits for 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,” Steenhuisen noted.
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He further stated that the move would encourage investment and expanded 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 added.
Minister Steenhuisen hailed the decision as an “extremely welcome development” that highlights the shared responsibility among Southern African countries in ensuring food sufficiency.
“Exports stabilise local prices and the Zimbabwean market plays an important role for both white and yellow maize,” he said.
The South African Department of Agriculture reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with regional partners to promote fair, open, and efficient trade in agricultural products.
The department said this approach would serve as a cornerstone for “sustainable growth and poverty alleviation in 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 in the region.
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