Zambia to maintain maize export ban to build reserves

HIV-positive farmer Eunice Chiyabi walks near a field of maize during a visit by a home-based care team in Chikonga village, close to the town of Chikuni in the south of Zambia February 21, 2015. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Zambia will maintain a ban on the export of maize until it secures 500,000 tonnes of maize in its strategic reserves, Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya said on Friday. Zambia's Food Reserve Agency is currently holding 331,716 tonnes of maize and the private sector has 794,785 tonnes, Siliya told parliament. (Reporting by Chris Mfula; editing by Jason Neely)