Minister of Trade Sosten Gwengwe has stated that it is unfortunate that many retail chain stores and supermarkets are stocking imported agricultural products at a time the country has potential to satisfy the domestic market.

“What is saddening is that most supermarkets that have mushroomed in the country are mostly stocking imported agriculture products, including maize flour, fruits and vegetables”. said Gwengwe.

On the other hand, retail chain stores and supermarket owners usually worry about supply consistency when buying from local farmers, while some commodities are not always available in the country. However, Gwengwe had confidence in the National Association of Smallholder Farmers in Malawi (Nasfam), which was created in 2003 to help address challenges facing smallholder farmers. The minister visited Nasfam and vouched for it, stating that the association’s investment in local agriculture shows that the importation of basic products will stop one day.