Further opinions on Tanzania-Zambia maize deal

TANZANIA: TWO weeks ago, we had an enriching discussion on the trade agreement between Tanzania and Zambia, where Tanzania is set to sell 650,000 tonnes of maize to Zambia due to a severe food grain shortage caused by drought, which destroyed nearly one million hectares—potentially halving the production. This deal is advantageous for Tanzania as it could transform the agricultural sector from subsistence to commercial farming—a recurring topic in the sector. It also aids Zambia by providing a reliable supply of maize at an affordable price. The deal has gained significant attention, with agricultural players who previously showed little interest in maize trading now actively discussing it. A key lesson from this experience is that vibrant private sector opportunities must be created before implementing structures. Currently, Tanzanian businesses are struggling due to poor cashew nut export performance last year, which saw the lowest export value in a decade. This was caused by ...