The Ministry of Trade and Industry will soon ban the importation of vegetables types that are produced locally in line with Chapter 18 of the Control of Goods Act, minister John Bande has said.

Bande disclosed this in response to Ntcheu North Asan Lipande's question to consider banning the importation of vegetables such as cabbages, tomatoes, onions and irish potatoes which are locally available.

"The ban would be one measure of saving forex which could be used to import goods not produced locally," Lipande said.

Bande concurred that the country produces a lot of vegetables which if supplied to shops would reduce importation and save on foreign exchange.

But he said the existing legislation which bans the importation could only be implemented once the business linkages programme linking producers and buyers was in place.

"The buyers would assist the producers produce goods according to buyer specifications to ensure quality, quantity and constant supply. This would give the customer first choice," he said.

Bande said the ministry was concerned about the importation by international supermarket chains of agricultural produce readily available in the country that's why the linkages programme was being put in place.