Mozambique prepares new cereal import mechanism after market centralisation

The government of Mozambique is continuing to develop mechanisms for importing rice and wheat after assigning this responsibility to the Mozambique Grain Institute. Minister of Economy Basílio Muhate said the authorities are refining new rules for import operations and broader commercial activity to improve trade efficiency and transparency in the market.

Under the new policy, the Mozambique Grain Institute has been given control over the import of key cereals, specifically rice and wheat. The government says the measure is aimed at combating the illegal outflow of foreign currency through over-invoicing of imports. The new approach took effect for rice on February 1 and is expected to apply to wheat starting May 1, 2026.

However, the final regulations governing the institute’s role in the import process have not yet been approved. According to the minister, the government plans to involve private sector representatives in shaping the final model in order to balance support for domestic production with market stability.

Business groups have already expressed concern about the centralisation of cereal imports. The Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique warned that the move could jeopardise private sector investments worth more than $500 million and potentially lead to the loss of up to 30,000 jobs.

Entrepreneurs also point out that domestic rice production remains far below national demand. The country produces around 80,000 tonnes of rice annually while consumption is estimated at about 700,000 tonnes, meaning any disruption in imports could threaten food supply stability and increase the cost of living.

Tags: rice, wheat, Mozambique