Tanzania has banned all agricultural imports from South Africa and Malawi, escalating a growing trade row between the three countries.
The move comes after Malawi blocked imports of certain Tanzanian products, including bananas, flour, and rice, citing the need to protect local producers.
Tanzania’s Agriculture Minister, Hussein Bashe, said the ban was necessary to protect Tanzanian business interests and ensure equal market access.
The move is expected to impact South African exports of fruits, including apples and grapes, to Tanzania.
Malawi, which relies heavily on Tanzanian ports for its exports, may face challenges in rerouting its goods.
The disagreement has sparked concerns about the potential impact on trade flows within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Bashe assured Tanzanians that the ban would not threaten food security, saying, “No Tanzanian will die from a lack of South African grapes or apples.” The governments of South Africa and Malawi have yet to comment on the ban.
