Tanzania removes restrictions on importing agricultural products from Malawi and South Africa

Tanzania announced late Friday that it had withdrawn a ban on importing agricultural products from South Africa and Malawi, days after the two southern African countries had imposed the block in reprisal for similar actions.

Joseph Ndunguru, the director general of the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), announced that the ban would be lifted immediately to for “a diplomatic ministerial discussion.”
According to him, the two nations had made different attempts to engage in conversation in order to settle the trade dispute.

All agricultural products from South Africa and Malawi are prohibited from being imported by Tanzania’s ministry of agriculture on Wednesday. Additionally, Tanzanian fertilizer, which Malawi depends on, is prohibited from being exported to Malawi. Additionally, the restriction on fertilizer exports to Malawi has been removed.

All three nations are members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional economic grouping.

Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, praised Tanzania’s decision to abolish the restriction, stating that it demonstrated the close ties between the two countries.

“This outcome demonstrates that the diplomatic route remains the most effective path to resolving challenges… cooperation and mutual understanding can unlock shared opportunities,” a statement from him stated.

Malawi has prohibited the importation of Tanzanian agricultural products, including rice, ginger, bananas, and maize flour. South Africa likewise halted the importation of Tanzanian bananas.