Maize Value Chain in the SADC Region

This report analyzes the maize value chain within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region to inform the Southern African Trade Hub’s (SATH) implementation strategy, focusing on production, trade, utilization, and the necessity of coherent regional policy.

• Developing the regional maize value chain requires more consistent and coherent policy approaches across the region, as private trade and investment progress more slowly in environments where government policy is unpredictable.
• The maize value chain consists of a sequence of functions starting with input supply and progressing through production, harvesting, post-harvest handling, storage, marketing, processing, and consumption.
• Efficient product movement and marketing depend on the governance structures and the horizontal or vertical relationships between different actors in the value chain, who vary significantly between South Africa and other SADC countries.
• To drive formalization, the report recommends establishing warehouse networks and warehouse receipt systems in Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to increase farmer liquidity and demand for storage.
• Recommended strategic activities include promoting yellow maize as a commercial cash crop for animal feed, encouraging the use of conventional and genetically modified (GM) certified seeds, and addressing cross-border transport constraints.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2016). Maize Value Chain in the SADC Region. https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/maize-value-chain-in-the-sadc-region/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Maize Value Chain in the SADC Region. 2016. https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/maize-value-chain-in-the-sadc-region/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Maize Value Chain in the SADC Region |date=2 June 2016 |url=https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/maize-value-chain-in-the-sadc-region/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2016maize, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Maize Value Chain in the SADC Region}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2016}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/maize-value-chain-in-the-sadc-region/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }