South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has welcomed Zimbabwe’s decision to lift the ban on the grain imports.
The minister calls it a positive step toward regional food security and economic stability.
The move follows the gazetting of Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 2025 by the Zimbabwean authorities, effectively reopening the country’s market to grain imports.
Steenhuisen described the development on grain imports as a return to “sound economic principles essential for the prosperity and stability of the Southern African region.”
Exports to Zimbabwe, he said, help stabilise local prices in South Africa and are vital for both white and yellow maize producers.
A win for food security through grain imports
“This is an extremely welcome development that underscores the collective responsibility we share in ensuring food sufficiency,” Minister Steenhuisen stated.
“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 emphasised that lifting the ban would strengthen food security and improve consumer welfare across the region.
Grain imports to boost investment and regional integration
Steenhuisen said the decision to allow the free grain imports, particularly white maize , was a positive step.
He explained that the move would boost confidence among agribusinesses and exporters.
According to him, this would, in turn, encourage greater investment and production that benefits all SADC member states.
“It strengthens regional integration and ensures that surplus-producing nations can readily meet the needs of their neighbours,” Steenhuisen said.
The Department of Agriculture reaffirmed its commitment to working with regional partners. This will help to promote fair, open, and efficient agricultural trade.
