May 13, 2013

Zimbabwe to receive corn from Zambia soon

Zimbabwe will soon receive part of the 150,000 tonnes of corn from Zambia (http://), Zimbabwean news agency New Ziana quoted Zambian Vice President Guy Scott as saying.

Zambia has agreed to export corn to Zimbabwe under a government-to-government agreement, refusing earlier attempts by Finance Minister Tendai Biti to bring in private companies into the deal.

"My mission is to discuss food security issues revolving around corn to make sure that neither of us has any shortfall of corn," said Scott after meeting with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe at the State House on May 9.

"We have not signed any agreement yet. But we know what we want to achieve. Shipments should start next week if everything goes according to plan," Scott added.

The move to import corn is aimed at averting food shortages in Zimbabwe that may occur following an erratic rain season.