HARARE, Zimbabwe — The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has appealed to government to reconsider recently introduced import levies on key grain commodities, warning the measure could increase production costs across the milling sector and place upward pressure on food prices.
In a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Obert Jiri, the association called for the repeal of Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, which introduced Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) levies on imported grain commodities including wheat, maize and soyabeans.
GMAZ said the levies come at a sensitive time for the grain processing industry, which relies on imported raw materials to supplement local supply.
“The implementation of these levies will significantly increase the cost of imported raw materials essential to the milling industry,” the association said in its correspondence. It added that the increased costs would likely be felt across the food value chain, affecting both producers and consumers.
“The inevitable consequence of this levy is increased production costs, which will ultimately be passed on to the consumer through higher prices of basic food commodities,” GMAZ wrote.
The association also raised concern over the broader impact on the livestock and agriculture sectors, noting that commodities such as soyabeans are key inputs in stockfeed manufacturing.
“Any increase in the cost of stockfeed has direct implications for poultry, dairy and livestock production, with wider consequences for national food security,” the letter stated.
GMAZ said it had previously engaged authorities on the matter and was seeking urgent review of the measure.
“We respectfully demand the immediate repeal of Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025 in the interests of protecting consumers, preserving industrial viability and ensuring food affordability,” the association said.
The organisation further argued that maintaining affordable access to grain imports remains critical for the stability of Zimbabwe’s food processing sector, particularly for products such as bread, mealie-meal and stockfeed.
Government had not publicly responded to the latest correspondence at the time of publication.
The development adds to wider discussions within Zimbabwe’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors over balancing support for local production with ensuring industry has access to competitively priced raw materials.
Industry stakeholders say any outcome from the engagement between GMAZ and government will be closely watched due to its potential implications for food prices, industrial productivity and national food security.
GMAZ Urges Government to Review Grain Import Levies Amid Cost Concerns
HARARE, Zimbabwe — The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has appealed to government to reconsider recently introduced import levies on key grain commodities, warning the measure could increase production costs across the milling sector and place upward pressure on food prices.
In a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Obert Jiri, the association called for the repeal of Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, which introduced Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) levies on imported grain commodities including wheat, maize and soyabeans.
GMAZ said the levies come at a sensitive time for the grain processing industry, which relies on imported raw materials to supplement local supply.
“The implementation of these levies will significantly increase the cost of imported raw materials essential to the milling industry,” the association said in its correspondence. It added that the increased costs would likely be felt across the food value chain, affecting both producers and consumers.
“The inevitable consequence of this levy is increased production costs, which will ultimately be passed on to the consumer through higher prices of basic food commodities,” GMAZ wrote.
The association also raised concern over the broader impact on the livestock and agriculture sectors, noting that commodities such as soyabeans are key inputs in stockfeed manufacturing.
“Any increase in the cost of stockfeed has direct implications for poultry, dairy and livestock production, with wider consequences for national food security,” the letter stated.
GMAZ said it had previously engaged authorities on the matter and was seeking urgent review of the measure.
“We respectfully demand the immediate repeal of Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025 in the interests of protecting consumers, preserving industrial viability and ensuring food affordability,” the association said.
The organisation further argued that maintaining affordable access to grain imports remains critical for the stability of Zimbabwe’s food processing sector, particularly for products such as bread, mealie-meal and stockfeed.
Government had not publicly responded to the latest correspondence at the time of publication.
The development adds to wider discussions within Zimbabwe’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors over balancing support for local production with ensuring industry has access to competitively priced raw materials.
Industry stakeholders say any outcome from the engagement between GMAZ and government will be closely watched due to its potential implications for food prices, industrial productivity and national food security.
