The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has welcomed the decision by Zimbabwean authorities to lift the ban on the importation of maize and other grains, as gazetted under the new Statutory Instrument SI 87 of 2025.
The Minister hailed the move as a return to sound economic principles that are essential for the prosperity and stability of the Southern African region.
"Exports stabilise local prices and the Zimbabwean market plays an important role for both white and yellow maize.
"This is an extremely welcome development that underscores the collective responsibility we share in ensuring food sufficiency.
"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," Steenhuisen said.
The formal removal of the ban is crucial for food security and consumer welfare across the region.