Mozambique backs grain import plan

The private sector initiative to import two million tonnes of maize for livestock and human consumption by June next year received a major boost as the Mozambican rail and ports authorities guaranteed a 10-day turnaround time and lower tariffs for grain destined for Zimbabwe at a meeting held in the capital yesterday(2/2/2016). This development will ensure improved product availability on the market and will also stabilize the prices.

Zimbabwe is one of the first southern African countries that have secured the ports in Maputo for the importation maize and wheat as the private sector moves in to assist Government to alleviate the hunger induced by a drought.

Apart from the millers, officials from the NRZ and CFM, the meeting drew stakeholders from major logistics companies, who included Bak Storage, Government and grain importers such as Holbud Limited and PHI Commodities.