THE Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTTA) has urged the Government to rescind the decision to ban maize exports.
GTTA chairperson George Liacopoulous said in Lusaka yesterday that the association received the announcement by Agriculture and Livestock Minister Robert Sichinga on Friday with shock.
Mr Liacopoulous, however, assured that his association would comply with the ban.
“To be honest, the announcement to ban the exportation of maize and its products came as a big of a surprise to us considering that on February 13, we were granted a permit to export a limited quantity of 35,000 tonnes in the absence of a viable domestic market,” he said.
He said Government granted the GTTA a permit to export to neighbouring countries after discovering that it was impossible for the private sector to sell its grain domestically because the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) was doing so at a subsidised rate.
”Government should also allow the private sector to participate in the export programme,” he said.
He wondered how the issue of food insecurity would arise when he was aware that the FRA had more than 700,000 tonnes in its reserves.
Mr Liacopoulous said the GTTA had so far exported about 20,000 tonnes from a total 35,000 tonnes, but that it could not export the remainder before the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock verified the stocks.
He was hopeful Government would allow for the offloading of the remaining stocks from the last farming season to pave way for the next season besides reversing the ban.
“Government should rescind its decision if it proves that there is more than enough maize in the country,” he said.
On Friday, Mr Sichinga announced the ban on the export of maize and its products until the status of Zambia’s food security had been verified.
Mr Sichinga, however, said traders who had already loaded trucks in readiness for export would be allowed to complete their transactions upon verification by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
He said the Government-to-government exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe would not be affected by the
What’s the main food consumed by people like Liacopoulous of GTA? Food politics should be avoided by foreigners who are not be familiar with the national dish of Zambia. Greece where Liacopoulous hails from is currently a begging nation in Europe, we do not need to be in that position caused by people like Liacopoulous disguising in GTA. We know he is trading maize to Congo and believes a ban in maize export is bad business for him while we are avoiding starvation in the nation.
It is ok for a Greek to “eat on top of our heads”. If it was a Zambian we should have started finding out where he comes from. This is why we are condemned to perpetual poverty. The Good Lord gave us abundant natural resources which we have allowed apart from a few Zambians foreigners to exploit on our behalf.
The government should uphold the ban for the time being until the food security situation is properly ascertained! Instead of exporting the much needed commodity, especially to these ungrateful and lazy chaps in Congo DR, lets sell the commodity to hungry zambians! There is no way we can be buying ubunga at 80pin, its unacceptable! So let the ban be upheld!
“Government granted GTTA a permit” as if “government” is an inert object and giving the impression that this permit is sacrosanct and yet it is composed of Zambians who are likely to benefit from this arrangement at the expense of the majority of Zambians who are poor.
Liacopoulous has a Tonga mother and he is a Zambian like anyone of us. We need to be practical and not shoot any logical suggestions down
George Liacopoulous wants to export amataba ku greece.. No way. Our pipo are starving because this farmer/capitalist are just about profits. PF will not allow this. Remember the politics of the Belly.
Gvt should only Ban export of maize that is subsidised. Most commercial farmers do not get subsidiesd ferts or seed from GRZ. They get their imputs on open market at commercial prices and therefore must sell at commercial price. If export makes commercial sense let them export.
I do not understand how u guys in Gvt think. But if I were GRZ I would be happy I have a huge market out there in the DRC and others. I would have worked tirelessly to produce enough to export make a profit (ie creat employment) and earn the much needed forex. Listern to this ‘China is importing one million tones of soya bean from USA’ – amazing…..Zambia would have said ‘no we are banning the export of Soya’???
My pal’ Wisdom….We need food security regardless of where you bought your fertiliser.. This Greek and the so called commercial farmers are motivated by profit only. GRZ look at political stability, economy, social issues. Commercial farmers have no ‘right or entitlement to export anything from Zambia.
This Boma is amazing. A short while ago they were boasting of huge numbers of tonnes of maize bumper harvest. Suddenly they have have no data regarding the maize stocks in the country.
It is apparent that most commercial farmers have been growing soya beans and maize for stock feed. The peasant farmers that get subsidised fertilisers and seed have had their crop damaged due to the BOMA’s ineptitude. In any case the BOMA has the largest stocks of maize, which they are exporting to the nieghbouring countries at subsidised prices. We will watch you, by the end of the year you will be importing maize at commercial rates.
Mealie meal prices are controlled ,for petes sake where do you expect poor george to sell his maize which he grew at unsusidised cost.
Greedy businessman with no regard for lives of the locals. GRZ should uphold ban 100%..no compromize on that.
All farmers are in business. they want to food on their tables also. when you are in that office or that class, them are in a maize field… The problem here who will buy their expensive maize or mealie-meal if they cant export. the GRZ shod buy from them at the price that is right. GRZ shod not just make pronouncements to suit them. commercial farmers dont get subsides therefore the need to recover their costs of productions. the ban is ok but who will buy from these guys. they shod not sacrifice either!!!
PANAFRICANIST , Wisdom is absolutely right. The primary motivation for growing maize for any farmer peasant or “so called commercial” is to make a profit. The only reason why the peasant farmers sell their maize to FRA is that , they still make a profit- though marginal, because they got their seed and fertiliser at knock down prices.
Look at this way, if we have a drought this season there will be no maize and the BOMA will be forced to buy it at commercial rates on world market and subsidise consumption. It might be time to change eating habits!
untill we are sure that the stokes that we have will see us through this year, then we shall allow them to export, remember this farming season hasnt been a good one, prevention is better than cure. you are the same guys who will blame the government if maize shortage arises.well done BOB
we need to make sure that the stokes that we have will see us through this year, then we shall allow them to export, remember this farming season hasnt been a good one, prevention is better than cure. you are the same guys who will blame the government if maize shortage arises.well done BOB
what is the telephone number for grain traders association
I’m an entrepreneur who’s into buying and selling of grain and at the moment I’m looking for ways in which I can expand in trade/business. Your help in this regard will be highly appreciated.