The Zambian government has announced plans to import 100,000 metric tonnes of wheat by the end of August to make up for shortfalls due to the drought that has ravaged the country.
The approval for the implementation of the product was given by the Cabinet following a projected deficit of the crop during the year.
The country’s Ministry of Agriculture had also given a ‘no objection’ to the importation so as to meet the shortfall, the Cabinet said during a plenary session.
A statement by Chief Government spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, also indicated that the “Cabinet had approved the issuance of a Statutory Instrument namely, the Customs and Excise Regulations, 2024, that provides for the suspension of duty on the importation of 100,000 metric tonnes of wheat.”
In the statement issued in Lusaka, Mweetwa said a ban on wheat importations in 2015 was introduced in order to protect the local producers of wheat and wheat products.
“Occasionally, the Ministry of Agriculture issues permits to allow importation of specific quantities of wheat to meet domestic supply shortfall,” Mweetwa stated.
He, however, said the current exemption was necessary in order to allow the millers to meet the shortfall in the supply of wheat on the local market.
The Minister stated the measure would allow millers to continue production in the face of low supply of the commodity before commencement of the harvesting season when national wheat stocks are expected to be sufficient.
“Cabinet also approved the ratification of the revised Nåcala Development Corridor (NDC) Agreement between Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia,” Mweetwa also revealed.
He said this was to ensure safe, cost-effective and efficient movement of goods and persons within the length of the Nacala Development Corridor.
Mweetwa added that the Nacala Development Corridor was a multi-modal transport and logistics infrastructure network within and through the Republics of Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.
“It is one of the important trade corridors in Southern Africa and its development is critical to enhancing regional and international trade competitiveness, particularly for the landlocked countries of Zambia and Malawi,” he stated.