Burkina Faso has lifted its four-year suspension on the export of cereal flour, allowing the international sale of millet, maize and sorghum flour in a move aimed at easing stockpiles held by local processors.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday, by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts, marking the end of an export restriction that had been in place since February 2022.
According to the government, the policy shift is intended to support domestic processing companies by enabling them to clear large inventories that accumulated during the years of the export ban.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts, Serge Gnaniodem Poda, explained that the resumption of exports was driven by the need to facilitate the commercial disposal of excess stocks held by local processing firms.
He, however, noted that the reopening of exports would be subject to strict regulatory controls.
According to the minister, all cereal flour exports must obtain a Special Export Authorization (ASE) before shipments can leave the country, in line with existing national regulations.
The ministry urged exporters and other economic operators to comply fully with the authorization process, warning that any breach of the regulations would attract sanctions under the country’s laws.
The lifting of the ban is expected to provide relief for Burkina Faso’s cereal processing industry while maintaining government oversight of exports to safeguard domestic food security and ensure compliance with trade regulations.
