Mitc unveils export markets
Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (Mitc) says it has identified regional and overseas export markets for some Malawian products.
In a statement issued on Friday, Mitc said it has received trade inquiries from South Sudan, India, Zimbabwe, Japan, China and Tanzania.
The statement said the markets are mostly for agricultural products such as soya beans at 69 900 metric tonnes (MT), groundnuts 33 140MT, beans 97 515 MT, sunflower 13 000, coffee 11 000 MT and tomato 720 MT.
In a written response on Friday, Mitc investments promotion manager Modie Chanza said export-ready farmers and companies need to take advantage of the market opportunities.
“This is an opportunity to local farmers as it gives them the planning time to grow. As you know that these trade inquires come as per the current demand, but also farmers can prepare to take advantage of these markets,” she said.
Chanza said to take advantage of the opportunity, farmers or traders are required to follow the export procedures stipulated by the Ministry of Trade but also the Control of Goods Act.
“Prospective exporters are required to follow all necessary procedures and where not clear, they are advised to contact Mitc where we will be sending them our commitment to supply form to be filled out and follow up,” she said.
Farmers Union of Malawi president Frighton Njolomole said hopes are high that farmers will get better prices for their commodities.
On his part, Chamber for Small and Medium Businesses Association executive secretary James Chiutsi said this is good for agri-businesses.
He said: “Small-scale businesses in farming have the chance to export their products hussle-free with the availability of such markets.
“As opportunities open up like this, we urge government and private organisations to support commercial farming if the country is to fully benefit.”
Lately, the Ministry of Trade has been proactive in searching for export markets for the country’s crops.
Last week, the ministry issued a notice calling for the submission of available quantities of soya beans so that producers are linked to off-takers who are offering to buy the crop at K650 per kilogramme.
