Traders are counting their losses after Tanzania loosened a clampdown on goods from Malawi in what looked like an escalating regional trade row.
On Friday, Tanzania lifted a ban on imports of agricultural produce from Malawi and South Africa, days after imposing it in retaliation for similar measures imposed by the two southern African nations.
Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority director general Joseph Ndunguru said the immediate lifting of the ban paves the way for “a diplomatic ministerial discussion.”
The same day, businesswomen in Karonga along the border between Malawi and Tanzania told the BBC that some fellow traders had been arrested on the second day of a ban imposed by Tanzania on all agricultural imports from Malawi.
“My bananas were seized and destroyed. Right now, our business has brought losses and we only have a little money left,” said Jestina Chanya, a trader in the town about 50 kilometres south of Songwe Border Post on Malawian side.
Diplomatic efforts to address the dispute have failed but Tanzania’s agriculture minister said fresh talks were ongoing.
Last month, Malawi blocked imports of maize flour, rice, ginger, bananas and maize from Tanzania, and other countries, saying this was to protect local producers.
On the other hand, South Africa has for years prohibited the entry of bananas from Tanzania.
On Thursday, Tanzania’s Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe said trade restrictions from those two countries “directly affected” traders from his country and described the trade barrier as “unfair and harmful”.
Heannounced an immediate ban on all agricultural imports from the two countries, “to protect our business interests”.
Trade flows have been greatly affected at Kasumulu —the official border crossing between Tanzania and Malawi.
When the BBC visited Karonga, traders, mostly women, said they were still shaken by the sight of tonnes of their produce slowly rotting, then ultimately being dumped after being denied entry into Tanzania.
“The losses I have incurred are big because I can’t go buy anything anymore and I don’t even know how I will feed my children,” said June Mwamwaya.
But Tanzanian traders have also been hit.
On Saturday, Tanzania’s agriculture minister posted a video on social media showing a pile of rotten bananas in a truck which had been prevented from entering Malawi.
Tonnes of tomatoes also perished at the border recently after lorries from Tanzania were denied entry into Malawi.
Malawian traders like Jeniffa Mshani said they preferred agricultural goods from Tanzania because it was easier and more affordable to source them across the border.
“Tanzanian products are big and sell very well in the market, and their prices are good. Our local [Malawi] products are more expensive. I have nothing to do. I don’t have the capacity to compete with those [who have big capital]. I just can’t,” she told the BBC.
They said Tanzanian produce, especially potatoes, were larger and of better quality.
Others said their customers preferred Tanzanian plantains over Malawian ones, describing the former as tastier, while the latter were often spongy.
But since Thursday, Malawian authorities, both at the border and in nearby markets, have become increasingly strict – often arresting traders found with Tanzanian produce.
“When we bring goods from Tanzania, they turn us back. One of us was stopped and arrested right at the border,” another trader said.
Some of them said they had no idea why they were being blocked while some rich business people were still allowed to transport goods across the border.
“They are targeting [those of] us who have little capital, while those with big money are still bringing in goods,” said Chanya, who sells potatoes and bananas in Karonga market.
Following the crackdown, some traders have resorted to selling their goods in secret, afraid to display them openly for fear of arrest.
“We only carry three or four bunches just to earn a living for the children,” said Evelina Mwakijungu: “But our large consignments have been blocked, so we have no business. We’re struggling with our families”.
The bustling border crossing between Songwe and Kasumulu remained noticeably quieter than usual with drivers seen relaxing in the shade of trees while others played draughts or lounged in the back of their lorries.
The group said they were simply waiting for word from their bosses on what to do next.
On a normal day, more than 15 lorries loaded with agricultural produce would cross the border, drivers said.
Patrick Botha, who speaks for the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Lilongwe, told The Nation: “We are hearing [about] this from social media.
“At an appropriate time, we will comment.”
Malawi has become an increasingly important market for Tanzanian goods in recent years, with exports trebling between 2018 and 2023, according to official Tanzanian figures.
But the landlocked country, which relies on Tanzanian ports, will have to reroute its goods.
It is not yet clear how hard South Africa, which exports various fruits, including apples and grapes, to Tanzania, will be hit by the ban. The row comes at a time when Africa is supposed to be moving towards greater free trade through the establishment of a continent-wide free-trade area, which began operating four years ago.
The three countries all belong to a regional economic bloc, the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).
Sadc promotes free trade and free movement as part of regional integration.
South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola welcomed Tanzania’s move to lift the ban “demonstrates that the diplomatic route remains the most effective path to resolving challenges… cooperation and mutual understanding can unlock shared opportunities”.
