📈 Cabinet Tightens Maize Import Controls to Protect Local Farmers

The Cabinet of Ministers has introduced a structured regulatory framework for maize imports to address domestic supply shortfalls while safeguarding the local agriculture sector. • New Pricing & Import Framework: A committee led by the Agriculture Ministry Secretary will now determine maize prices. Imports will be strictly limited to filling the gap when local harvests are unavailable in the market. • Thriposha Production: Approval granted for Sri Lanka Thriposha Ltd. to import up to 15,000 tons of maize in phases during 2026. This ensures the uninterrupted production of the national nutritional supplement despite local quality and supply constraints. • Regulated Participants: Only registered animal feed manufacturers and importers under the Department of Animal Production and Health are permitted to import, subject to rigorous supervision to prevent market distortions. • Process Streamlining: A new stepwise procedure has been formulated by the Agriculture and Trade Ministries to bypass bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure timely procurement of high-quality raw materials. The move aims to balance the needs of the poultry & livestock and food processing industries with the livelihoods of domestic maize growers.