Tanzania's government just warned Malawi about blocking Tanzanian farm goods, including flour, rice, ginger, bananas, and maize. Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe said Wednesday that these restrictions hurt Tanzanian traders who need Malawi as an export market.
The minister mentioned similar problems with South Africa, which kept Tanzanian bananas out for five years and avocados for over a decade. Tanzania announced tough responses if both countries don't remove restrictions by next Wednesday. These include banning all agricultural imports from both nations, stopping their farm goods from passing through Tanzania toward ports, and halting fertilizer exports to Malawi.
Bashe told traders to stop loading goods for Malawi immediately. He claims he tried repeatedly to contact Malawi's agriculture minister but received no response. The minister said these actions aim to protect Tanzanian farmers and ensure fair regional trade.
This dispute raises questions about regional cooperation under the Southern African Development Community framework. Reporters couldn't reach Malawian officials for comment before the publication deadline.
The minister mentioned similar problems with South Africa, which kept Tanzanian bananas out for five years and avocados for over a decade. Tanzania announced tough responses if both countries don't remove restrictions by next Wednesday. These include banning all agricultural imports from both nations, stopping their farm goods from passing through Tanzania toward ports, and halting fertilizer exports to Malawi.
Bashe told traders to stop loading goods for Malawi immediately. He claims he tried repeatedly to contact Malawi's agriculture minister but received no response. The minister said these actions aim to protect Tanzanian farmers and ensure fair regional trade.
This dispute raises questions about regional cooperation under the Southern African Development Community framework. Reporters couldn't reach Malawian officials for comment before the publication deadline.
