Tanzania has revoked its recent ban on agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa, following a brief period of trade restrictions. The Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) announced the decision, with Director General Joseph Ndunguru stating that the ban was lifted to enable "a diplomatic ministerial discussion." The move came after both Malawi and South Africa sought dialogue to address the trade issues. Earlier, Tanzania's agriculture ministry had imposed a ban on all agricultural imports from these nations, alongside prohibiting the export of Tanzanian fertilizer to Malawi. The fertilizer export ban has also been rescinded.
The trade dispute had been sparked by Tanzanian agriculture minister Hussein Bashe, who alleged that South Africa and Malawi had restricted Tanzanian banana imports for years. As a retaliatory measure, Tanzania imposed the temporary ban on 23 April, lifting it just two days later after diplomatic engagement. However, leading agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo disputed Bashe's claims, noting after consulting South African authorities that Tanzania had never formally requested market access for its bananas. According to Dipepeneneng Serage, deputy director-general for agricultural production, biosecurity, and natural resources management in South Africa's Department of Agriculture, a formal application is necessary before any imports can occur. Without such a process, it would have been impossible for Tanzanian bananas to enter the South African market legally.
Sihlobo emphasized that this standard procedure applies to all countries and pointed out that South Africa's banana imports are dominated by Mozambique, accounting for 74% of the US$48 million imported annually, followed by Eswatini, Seychelles, and Zimbabwe. He also questioned whether Tanzanian bananas could even compete effectively in the South African market, given Mozambique's strong presence and South Africa's domestic production.
Highlighting the broader context, Sihlobo stressed that any trade restrictions among Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states must be scientifically justified and temporary. Regarding economic ties, he noted that Tanzania plays only a minor role in South Africa's agricultural trade, contributing just 1% to South Africa's US$13.7 billion agricultural exports and 0.4% to its US$7.6 billion agricultural imports.
Sihlobo concluded that the incident reflected inadequate communication rather than a deliberate trade barrier, urging Tanzanian officials to engage through proper channels to promote their agricultural products. He welcomed the lifting of the ban, emphasizing that cooperation remains crucial for strengthening regional agricultural trade.
Source 1: TRT Global
Source 2: Food for Mzansi