Zimbabwe spends US$40m on importing spaghetti

Zimbabwe's annual importation of approximately US$40 million worth of macaroni and spaghetti, primarily from Egypt, reflects the nation's sluggish industrialization progress. Despite pasta not being a staple food in Zimbabwe, its affordability has made it a common household item, leading retailers to stock it in large quantities, often sourced from abroad.

Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu, disclosed these insights during a workshop for the joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce and the Thematic Committee on Indigenization and Empowerment held at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel on May 11, 2024. Ndlovu highlighted the economic repercussions of importing pasta, a product that could be domestically produced using readily available ingredients like flour and water. He emphasized efforts to reduce import dependency, with National Foods set to commence local pasta manufacturing, potentially saving millions in import costs.

Ndlovu underscored the importance of supporting industries transitioning to higher value-added products, citing National Foods' expansion into pasta and upcoming biscuit manufacturing as examples. He urged businesses to focus on local production to mitigate the country's trade deficit, which stems from excessive reliance on imports.

Addressing the challenges of industrialization in a dollarized economy, Ndlovu emphasized the need to promote local manufacturing to curb import dependency. He highlighted the adverse effects of dollarization on domestic industries, where consumer preferences for cheaper imported goods hinder local production.

Ndlovu defended the introduction of the ZimGold (ZiG) currency as a necessary step to foster industrial growth and reduce import dependency. He cautioned against overreliance on a dollarized economy, which perpetuates import-oriented consumption patterns, hindering domestic industry development.

Discussing the impact of sanctions on industrialization, Ndlovu highlighted the constraints faced by sanctioned countries in accessing capital and international markets. He emphasized the importance of parliamentary collaboration with stakeholders to facilitate economic growth and industry development.

In alignment with Ndlovu's remarks, Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda emphasized the role of parliament in fostering economic growth through collaboration with citizens. Chief Director in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Florence Makombe, outlined government efforts to monitor business operations and promote Zimbabwean products in international markets to bolster economic growth and industrialization.