Misryoum reports on how Botswana’s maize and wheat millers say supply, pricing and compliance pressures are testing the sector’s sustainability.
A growing milling sector is still being stretched by pressure points that threaten its ability to keep products steady on shelves, Misryoum was told.
The Maize and Wheat Millers Association of Botswana (MWMA) said local milling has moved beyond its early stage and now supports national food security and the broader economy, even as new operational and system-wide constraints build up.. MWMA also highlighted market stability and the efficient availability of maize and wheat products as core priorities, with an emphasis on keeping adequate retail stock.
MWMA’s executive member and CEO at Bokomo Botswana, Werner de Beer, said millers have upgraded from basic milling into a more technology-driven industry.. He argued this shift has helped strengthen food security, but he stressed that growth has not removed the practical pressures millers face day to day.
Meanwhile, de Beer pointed to a fundamental supply reality: local crops account for less than 10 percent of domestic demand, with seasonal swings that intensify around festive periods.. He said that to maintain economies of scale, the industry needs consistent operations rather than stop-start production.
This matters because when demand spikes and local supply falls short, the system depends on coordination between producers, millers and logistics to prevent gaps for consumers.
De Beer said operational challenges also come in waves, particularly during fumigation periods when plants can shut down for several days. He added that upgrades needed to keep pace with technology and demand are capital-intensive, with maintenance and upgrades sometimes requiring longer closures.
He further cited logistics constraints that can slow delivery, including delays at border posts where trucks can take days to clear.. In addition, MWMA linked price instability to structural imbalances connected to Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB), saying BAMB purchases most local crop at higher prices and sells it back to millers at a premium.
In this context, de Beer said millers import a large share of grains and aim to source at internationally competitive prices, but the pricing effect of the system can still add significant cost pressures inside the local market.. He also raised additional risks tied to complex regional supply chains and stricter cross-border compliance enforcement, including costs connected to permits.
Misryoum noted that MWMA also flagged decision-making and implementation gaps, saying guidance from the Interim Agronomic Board is not always carried out as intended. Storage capacity emerged as another concern, with millers saying BAMB remains the main large-scale storage option for farmers.
At the close, MWMA warned that the industry must manage local production alongside contingency mechanisms, pointing to the denial of flour import permits during the festive season as an example of how quickly stability can be disrupted.. The association called for a framework that is more predictable and responsive, arguing that timely monthly permit approvals can help prevent sudden supply shocks.