Tanzania hits back at Malawi, South Africa with trade ban on agricultural products

Tanzania's minister for agriculture, Mr Hussein Bashe. (Photo/Courtesy)

By Amina Wako
Thursday, April 24, 2025

The trade measures include a complete ban on both the export and import of agricultural commodities between Tanzania and the two countries. In Malawi’s case, the action goes even further, with Tanzania also halting the transit of any agricultural goods through its territory en route to Malawi.

Tanzania has officially imposed a reciprocal trade ban on agricultural products from Malawi and South Africa, intensifying a diplomatic and economic standoff that began with trade restrictions on Tanzanian produce by the two southern African nations.

The decision, announced on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, by Minister of Agriculture Hussein Bashe, comes after both countries failed to lift their embargoes on Tanzanian goods, most notably, a consignment of bananas that was recently blocked at the borders.

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“It is now official. We will not allow any agricultural produce from South Africa or Malawi into the Tanzanian market,” Minister Bashe said in an interview with Azam TV.

The trade measures include a complete ban on both the export and import of agricultural commodities between Tanzania and the two countries. In Malawi’s case, the action goes even further, with Tanzania also halting the transit of any agricultural goods through its territory en route to Malawi.

This robust response follows a seven-day ultimatum issued by Bashe last week, in which he demanded that Malawi and South Africa lift their trade restrictions. When no resolution materialised by the Wednesday deadline, Tanzania acted swiftly.

“South Africa regularly exports fruits like grapes and apples to Tanzania. From now on, these products will not be allowed into our borders,” Bashe stated.

Maize imports

He further criticised Malawi’s handling of maize imports, noting the inconsistency in barring Tanzanian maize while simultaneously procuring the same grain through the World Food Programme (WFP).

“They are purchasing maize through the WFP, but at the same time, they are denying Tanzanian traders access to their market. As far as we are concerned, none of that maize will pass through Tanzanian territory,” Bashe declared.

Additionally, fertiliser exports to Malawi, which were scheduled to commence on 1 May ahead of the country’s planting season, have also been suspended.

“They were due to start taking fertiliser from Tanzania next week. That won’t happen now,” he confirmed.

Amid concerns about the potential impact on local food supplies, Minister Bashe sought to reassure Tanzanians, insisting the ban would not compromise national food security.

“No Tanzanian will suffer or die because we no longer have apples or grapes from South Africa. Our priority is to protect local trade and our agricultural economy,” he said. “This is about fairness and principle. This is business.”

Despite the firm tone, Bashe acknowledged that diplomatic channels remain open. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabiti Kombo, is reportedly engaging his counterparts in Lilongwe and Pretoria in dialogue aimed at resolving the impasse.

“While diplomatic discussions continue, Tanzania cannot operate under one-sided restrictions. We must act in the interest of our economy and our people,” Bashe stressed.