‘You can’t eat forex.’ Women’s group faults govt move to export surplus maize, demands food security

The Citizens First Women’s League has urged the government to halt all maize exports until the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) fully stocks 1.5 million metric tonnes for the national strategic reserve and a verified audit confirms Zambia’s 12-month consumption needs of over 3 million metric tonnes are secured.

The party stressed that the UPND administration must prioritise national food security before exporting maize, warning that drought is “always one season away.”

Speaking during a media briefing at the party secretariat in Lusaka on Wednesday, National Women’s Chairperson, Faith Munthali, described the recent decision to export maize as “reckless, short-sighted, and a direct threat to national food security.”

Munthali noted that while other nations are stockpiling grain in anticipation of global climate shocks, Zambia’s leaders are “rushing to sell off the only insurance against hunger.”

“Food security should come first, especially since Zambia has been here before — in 2023 — when drought left millions hungry while empty FRA silos gathered dust,” she said.

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She further argued that exporting raw maize was “economic suicide,” urging the government to immediately ban such exports.

“Why sell grain at US$250 per ton when processed mealie meal, livestock feed, or ethanol could fetch over US$600 per ton? Let Zambia’s mills and factories profit first,” Munthali stated.

She called for the revival of key milling plants, such as Nakambala and Mpongwe, to create jobs, boost industry, and prioritize government-to-government deals for processed products.

“The UPND is auctioning Zambia’s future to briefcase traders while our people starve. You cannot eat forex. It is cheaper to stock now than to use the same money to import maize later,” Munthali said.

She warned that Zambians would not forgive a government that exports staple grain while mealie meal prices remain high and drought-affected communities, including in Southern Province, continue to suffer due to poor mitigation measures.

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