Mozambique Grain Institute and WFP hold working meeting; rice imports and food security on the agenda

The Director-General of the Mozambique Grain Institute / Instituto de Cereais de Moçambique – ICM, Luís Jobe Fazenda, received a delegation from the World Food Programme – WFP, on Thursday, 2 April 2026, for a working meeting focused on strengthening strategic cooperation in the area of food reserves to ensure the country’s food security, according to a press release by the ICM. During the meeting, the Director-General of ICM highlighted the institution’s role as a central actor in regulating the cereal supply chain and in establishing strategic food reserves, which are essential for responding to emergency situations. The WFP acknowledged the importance of this partnership, noting that for more than a decade it has sought to support the creation of strategic reserves in the country, in a context of high vulnerability to climate shocks and constraints in international financing, exacerbated by factors such as the war in Ukraine.

The organisation highlighted the importance of structural solutions that ensure rapid and effective responses to the population’s needs. The two institutions identified specific areas of synergy, including the joint use of storage infrastructure, sharing technical expertise in logistics and food quality, and the optimisation of supply chains. They also emphasised the need for greater institutional coordination to facilitate import processes and customs clearance of food intended for humanitarian assistance, such as rice. READ:Mozambique: Competition Authority flags serious food security risks from centralised rice imports – O País The implementation of a joint approach to establishing strategic reserves within national territory was identified as a significant step forward, enabling a faster, more efficient, and sustainable response in emergency situations.