Tanzania has halted the issue of new export licenses for maize, which might intensify the product shortfall that has caused flour prices to reach all-time highs.
According to Business Daily, a number of millers and producers of animal feed revealed that the neighboring nation stopped issuing permits last week, which restricted the availability of the essential domestically.
“We have been unable to get maize from Tanzania since last week after the country stopped issuing export permits to traders with the cutting off of stocks from Tanzania expected to push up the cost of flour,” said Ken Nyaga, the chairperson of the United Grain Millers Association.
Following the decision that has seen processors reduce production, John Gathogo, press secretary of the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers, claimed that their members are unable to receive goods from Tanzania as well.
Millers are given a single export permission for grains from Tanzania, and they must apply for a fresh one each time they want to export maize from that nation.
Tanzania has developed into a significant source market for maize in the past two years, particularly since the two nations repaired their economic relations with the change in government last year with the passing of former President John Magufuli.
According to data from the Eastern Africa Grain Council, Tanzanian imports nearly doubled by five last year, reaching 469,474.
