Zim to import maize

HARARE – Zimbabwe has contracted suppliers to import 565 000 tonnes of maize next year from South Africa and Zambia to boost its stocks, official media reported yesterday, after years of shortages blamed on drought and government land reforms.

“Zimbabwe will next year import 85 000 tonnes of maize from Zambia to augment local production,” the Bulawayo-based Chronicle newspaper said, quoting Grain Marketing Board (GMB) logistics manager Nick Gukwa. “The country will also import another 480 000 tonnes of maize from South Africa, which has always been a traditional source of grain in times of drought,” the paper added.”The quantities are for deals that have been concluded, but they can still be revised upwards or downwards depending on the prevailing situation at that time,” Gukwa was quoted as saying in reference to the 565 000 tonnes to be brought in by private suppliers.Zimbabwe has not given maize import figures in the last few years but central bank governor Gideon Gono said early this year that the country spent US$135 million buying maize in 2005.GMB officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.Critics blame the food shortages that Zimbabwe has faced since 2001 on a combination of drought and the impact on production of President Robert Mugabe’s land reform.GMB officials have previously said the country faced food shortages because of a severe fuel crunch that has prevented farmers from delivering maize to the state grain agency.The southern African nation has forecast a 1,8-million-tonne maize harvest this year, with half of it expected to be sold to the GMB, the country’s sole distributor of the staple crop.Nampa-Reuters”The country will also import another 480 000 tonnes of maize from South Africa, which has always been a traditional source of grain in times of drought,” the paper added.”The quantities are for deals that have been concluded, but they can still be revised upwards or downwards depending on the prevailing situation at that time,” Gukwa was quoted as saying in reference to the 565 000 tonnes to be brought in by private suppliers.Zimbabwe has not given maize import figures in the last few years but central bank governor Gideon Gono said early this year that the country spent US$135 million buying maize in 2005.GMB officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.Critics blame the food shortages that Zimbabwe has faced since 2001 on a combination of drought and the impact on production of President Robert Mugabe’s land reform.GMB officials have previously said the country faced food shortages because of a severe fuel crunch that has prevented farmers from delivering maize to the state grain agency.The southern African nation has forecast a 1,8-million-tonne maize harvest this year, with half of it expected to be sold to the GMB, the country’s sole distributor of the staple crop.Nampa-Reuters