By KENNEDY MUPESENI –

THE non-Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) policy will make Zambia a major supplier of maize in the region, agricultural research findings have indicated.
The Regional Network of Agricultural Policy and Research Institute (ReNAPRI) said this in a study, “Anticipating and Responding to the Region’s Policy Challenges in the Decade to come”.
The report said Zambia, with a non GMO policy stood to be competitive for the next 10 years and place the country at an advantage in the regional market as most maize importing countries prefer non-GMO maize.
“Zambian maize prices will have a meaningful impact on prices in the neighbouring markets of Harare and the northern parts of Mozambique and the competition between Zambian and South African maize exports will intensify in these markets,” the report said.
The ReNAPRI said under the assumption of less Government intervention in Zambia, there should be high level integration between South Africa and Zambia.
Zambia was expected to remain a net surplus supplier of maize and apart from South Africa, prices in Lusaka were expected to be the lowest in the region due to increase in the production of the crop.
For the purpose of the baseline survey it was assumed that the level of integration between Malawi and Zambia in terms of maize markets would be maintained due to the Zambian surplus.
The report added that maize prices in Malawi were expected to follow similar trends to the maize prices in Zambia, but on a higher side based on the transportation costs between the two countries.
The South African Futures Exchange market price for white maize will remain the market leader in the Southern African region under the assumption of normal weather.