Zambia signs 540,000 metric tonnes maize export deal with Kenya

Government has signed an agreement with Kenya’s Baita Trading Limited for the export of up to 540,000 metric tonnes of Grade A, white non-GMO maize, in a development expected to boost agricultural exports, create a market for farmers and strengthen regional food security. The…

Government has signed an agreement with Kenya’s Baita Trading Limited for the export of up to 540,000 metric tonnes of Grade A, white non-GMO maize, in a development expected to boost agricultural exports, create a market for farmers and strengthen regional food security.

The agreement between the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and Baita Trading Limited of Kenya comes as Zambia records a bumper maize harvest of more than 5.1 million metric tonnes in the 2025/2026 farming season.

This bumper harvest provided the country with adequate stocks for domestic consumption and a surplus for export.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lusaka today, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development, Siazongo Siakalenge, said the maize surplus presents an opportunity for Zambia to earn foreign exchange while supporting farmers and contributing to economic growth.

Mr Siakalenge said the government has been working to secure export markets for the surplus maize and has so far identified several opportunities, with the latest agreement providing a significant market for Zambian grain.

“The country has enough food to feed itself, as well as a surplus to export and to earn revenue for the country. This surplus generates foreign exchange for the country and thereby contributes to economic and financial stability,” he said.

Mr Siakalenge noted that the availability of adequate maize stocks is also expected to contribute to stable maize prices while creating opportunities for traders and other private-sector players to participate in the export market.

He noted that Zambia’s agricultural exports increased from US$967 million in 2024 to more than US$1.1 billion in 2025, with the maize export agreement expected to contribute to further growth in the sector.

And FRA Board Chairperson, Suresh Desai, said the agreement demonstrates continued confidence in the quality of Zambian agricultural produce and is in line with the government’s ambition of increasing maize production to 10 million metric tonnes per annum.

Mr Desai said increased production must be matched with reliable markets and efficient logistics to ensure that farmers benefit from expanded production.

“What we are witnessing here today is part and parcel of that stated policy of taking the production of maize in Zambia to 10 million metric tonnes per annum,” he said.

Mr Desai said the 540,000 metric tonnes will be moved in five tranches to allow the parties to effectively manage transportation and logistics, while the pricing of each tranche will be determined through an agreed mechanism based on prevailing regional market prices.

He has further commended the government, FRA management and the technical teams from Zambia and Kenya for successfully negotiating the agreement, saying the initiative will promote mutually beneficial trade and support the livelihoods of Zambian farmers.

Meanwhile, Baita Trading Limited Director, Martin Kinoti, said the company is pleased to be part of the agreement and has commended the Zambian government and FRA for facilitating the process.

Mr Kinoti noted that the focus will now shift from negotiations to implementation, with the private sector expected to play a key role in ensuring that the maize reaches the Kenyan market.

He explained that the agreement is not only about supplying grain to Kenya but also about strengthening relations between the two countries and promoting regional food security, particularly as Kenya faces recurring drought challenges.

“We are looking forward to shifting to the performance of this agreement, which is the next thing that we will be spending our energies on,” Mr Kinoti said.