NEW export licenses for maize and rice will start being issued once a comprehensive nationwide evaluation is completed, it has been learned.

Irene Mlola, the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA director-general, said at a media briefing here over the weekend that an assessment exercise starts May 1, to determine the availability and distribution of the crucial crops across the country.

Evaluation will take place in a wide scope of regions to provide a clearer picture of maize and rice stocks, production estimates and export quantities, she said, noting that current export licenses issued to traders will remain valid until April 30.

After that date, new permits will be issued based on findings of the exercise, as once evaluation is completed by sector experts, the agency will begin issuing new export permits.

“I encourage traders to fully utilize existing permits before their expiration date,” she said, elaborating that the nationwide evaluation will take into account current stocks of maize and rice, expected quantities for export, as well as production projections for the 2024/2025 agricultural season.

Additionally, the assessment will consider food availability forecasts for 2026, with these steps being designed to ensure that the government has accurate data regarding the food situation, in formulating the right trade and distribution strategies, she explained.

“This evaluation is essential as it will provide us with the data necessary to understand the national food situation, allowing for better planning when it comes to local distribution and exportation,” the director noted.

The agency’s primary goal is to ensure that markets have sufficient supplies of food crops, particularly maize and rice, as in addition to overseeing export controls, COPRA monitors domestic sales.

It keeps track of the amount of maize and rice sold to local traders across various regions, she remarked, urging traders to use current permits within their validity period to avoid any disruptions in the system.

It is important to comply with the deadlines to prevent delays in obtaining new permits, as once the national evaluation is concluded new export licenses for maize and rice will be issued, she added.