Uganda’s Farmers and Millers Lobby To Ban Exports Citing Shortage

Ugandan farmers and millers are vouching for a ban on the export of maize, seeking to retain husks used for the manufacture of animal feeds.

Following the disruption of grain supplies from Ukraine and Russia in the wake of the Moscow invasion, countries in East Africa have been competing for the limited maize stock for consumption and producing animal feeds.

The government estimates the country will produce about 2.5 million tonnes of maize this year, down by half, due to poor rainfall.

Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze said the farmers and processors want the Uganda government to only allow the exportation of maize flour.

Elsewhere, Tanzania has frozen the issuance of new maize export permits for Kenyan traders since last week, a move likely to worsen the shortage of the product in Kenya and drive its prices up.

The development has left processors jostling for stocks that are available locally and a few imports coming in from Zambia. Tanzania has restricted exports to protect its local stock following poor harvests.