Tanzania lifts ban, resumes agricultural imports from South Africa, Malawi

Tanzania has lifted its recently imposed ban on agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa, the government announced late Friday.

The restriction, introduced in retaliation for similar measures by the two nations, was rescinded to facilitate upcoming diplomatic discussions at the ministerial level.

Joseph Ndunguru, Director General of the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), confirmed the decision, stating that the ban was revoked with immediate effect to allow for "a diplomatic ministerial dialogue."

Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday imposed a ban on all agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa, while also halting exports of Tanzanian fertiliser to Malawi, a country heavily dependent on the product.

However, the Tanzanian government has now lifted both restrictions.

Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe explained that Tanzania had demanded the two countries lift their respective bans on Tanzanian agricultural goods by Wednesday.

When they failed to comply, Tanzania enforced the bans.

In a video message posted to his X account late Wednesday, Bashe said, "I would like to officially announce that from tonight, no agricultural products from South Africa will be allowed into our country," adding that a similar measure would be applied to Malawi.

Bashe also noted that Tanzania would prohibit the transit of agricultural goods from other nations through its territory to landlocked Malawi, in addition to suspending fertiliser exports.

Nevertheless, he confirmed that diplomatic talks to resolve the trade dispute would continue.

The three nations — Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa — are all members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Welcoming Tanzania’s decision to lift the ban, South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said it reflected the strong bilateral 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," Lamola said in a statement.

The dispute arose after Malawi imposed a ban on Tanzanian agricultural imports such as maize flour, rice, ginger, and bananas.

South Africa also recently halted imports of Tanzanian bananas.