President Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia could soon face the challenge of producing more maize than it can consume, warning that failure to secure markets could result in losses for farmers.
Speaking during the 2026 National Delivery Day at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, President Hichilema said the country is projected to harvest over four million metric tonnes of maize this year, following increased agricultural production.
However, he noted that Zambia consumes between 2.7 and 3 million metric tonnes annually, raising concerns about how to manage the surplus.
“So now, what do we do with the rest? If it sits at farm gates with farmers, that is a disaster,” he said.
The Head of State explained that while farmers have responded positively to government policies, the focus must now shift towards securing reliable markets both locally and internationally.
President Hichilema cautioned against abruptly closing export channels, warning that Zambia risks losing regional markets to competitors if supply becomes inconsistent.
He cited past experiences where countries such as Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa turned to alternative suppliers after Zambia restricted exports.
“[DR] Congo, South Africa took away our market; now we are struggling to get it back because we shut it,” he said.
The President also urged citizens to stop viewing foreign buyers—particularly from the Democratic Republic of Congo—as smugglers, instead describing them as legitimate customers who should be engaged through formal trade channels.
“I don’t want anyone calling Congolese ‘smugglers’, those are our customers; let’s provide them with a proper channel of business,” he said.
He revealed that government is already engaging neighbouring countries with food deficits to secure markets for the expected surplus.
President Hichilema emphasised that increased production must go hand in hand with market planning to ensure farmers benefit from their efforts.
The event was organised by the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), which was established in March 2023 to accelerate implementation of priority government programmes and improve service delivery.
