Namibia lifts ban on maize imports from South Africa amid border delays

NAMIBIA – The Namibian Ministry of Agriculture has officially lifted the ban on the import of maize, maize products, palm trees, and related products from South Africa, ending days of uncertainty in the agricultural sector.

The decision comes after the detection of maize Goss’s bacterial wilt in South Africa’s Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West provinces, as well as the presence of bud rot disease in palm products.

The ban, which was imposed last week, had caused significant disruptions at border posts and raised concerns about food security and price increases.

In an official notice, the ministry stated that ongoing research and monitoring revealed that Goss’s bacterial wilt primarily affects maize seed rather than grain.

“Measures related to bud rot disease in palm products will be adjusted accordingly,” the notice added. Despite the lifting of the ban, the ministry urged stakeholders to remain vigilant to prevent the spread of these plant diseases.

Confusion at the border

The lifting of the ban follows a week of confusion, with unverified claims circulating that the restrictions had already been eased.

However, no official documentation had been issued to stakeholders, leaving many in the dark. Meanwhile, trucks carrying maize and related products were left stranded at Namibian border posts, with reports of inconsistent enforcement.

Winfried Metzger, owner of the private Musese mill in the Kavango West Region, told local media outlets  that while trucks belonging to the Agricultural Marketing and Trade Agency (Amta) were allowed to cross the Buitepos border post, those from Namib Mills and other private entities were not.

“I source my maize from the North West province, and North West’s maize is clean,” Metzger said, emphasizing that his monthly imports of around 1,000 tonnes of maize are critical for supplying maize meal to northern regions and crushed maize for animal feed.

Drikus Delport, technical manager at Feedmaster Namibia, confirmed that their trucks were able to pass through the Ariamsvlei border post. However, the lack of official documentation from Namibian authorities appeared to be the root cause of the delays at Buitepos.

A prolonged ban could have severely affected pig and poultry producers, who rely heavily on maize for animal feed.

One farmer, speaking before the ban was lifted, warned that some pig farms would run out of maize within a day, poultry farms by the end of the week, and most millers within seven days.

 “This poses a major risk to industries that have taken years to establish and threatens food security, as most households rely on maize meal as a staple food,” he said.

Botswana, which had imposed similar restrictions, has also reopened its borders for the affected crops and products.

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