News / National
Zimbabwe lifts maize import ban
2 hrs ago | 30 Views
The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) Southern Region has welcomed the Government's move to lift Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 2025, saying the decision will help address maize shortages and stabilise product prices.
Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister, Raj Modi, toured several milling companies in Bulawayo on Monday to assess the situation after reports that many had halted operations due to lack of raw materials.
GMAZ Southern Region chairperson, David Moyo, said the ban had crippled millers, forcing some to shut down production.
"Milling plants don't have raw materials, and even the available mealie meal is not enough to meet demand," said Moyo. "We are happy the Government has heard our cry. The lifting of SI 87 of 2025 will allow everyone to import maize."
The SI, gazetted earlier this year, outlawed the importation of grain, oilseeds and related products except under limited circumstances. It also required processors to source 40 percent of raw materials locally from April 2026, rising to 100 percent by 2028.
To cushion local farmers, the law introduced import and production parity pricing, with millers obliged to pay the difference into the Agricultural Revolving Fund whenever imports were cheaper than local produce. However, Agriculture Minister Dr Anxious Masuka later announced that millers would instead pay US$10 per tonne.
Moyo urged Government to align the law with the minister's pronouncement to avoid future disputes.
"We appeal to the authorities to amend the SI so it reflects the US$10 per tonne arrangement. Ministers and secretaries can change, but the SI will remain, and we don't want to be accused of breaking the law," he said.
Deputy Minister Modi assured the industry that the Government was committed to resolving the bottlenecks.
"We cannot afford to have milling companies close because of shortages," he said. "Millers will only pay US$10 per tonne, and we are working to ensure imports start as soon as possible."
GMAZ Southern Region vice-chairperson, Mthokozisi Sibanda, added that reliance on grain from the northern provinces had become unsustainable as farmers there were unwilling sellers.
"That is why we seek imports to be opened so we can restore sustainable supply in the region," Sibanda said, urging Government to fast-track import permits.
Several millers told the Deputy Minister that they had been forced to suspend operations for days or weeks due to the grain shortage. They stressed the need for consistent consultation with Government on policy shifts, saying stability was key to ensuring food security.
Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister, Raj Modi, toured several milling companies in Bulawayo on Monday to assess the situation after reports that many had halted operations due to lack of raw materials.
GMAZ Southern Region chairperson, David Moyo, said the ban had crippled millers, forcing some to shut down production.
"Milling plants don't have raw materials, and even the available mealie meal is not enough to meet demand," said Moyo. "We are happy the Government has heard our cry. The lifting of SI 87 of 2025 will allow everyone to import maize."
The SI, gazetted earlier this year, outlawed the importation of grain, oilseeds and related products except under limited circumstances. It also required processors to source 40 percent of raw materials locally from April 2026, rising to 100 percent by 2028.
To cushion local farmers, the law introduced import and production parity pricing, with millers obliged to pay the difference into the Agricultural Revolving Fund whenever imports were cheaper than local produce. However, Agriculture Minister Dr Anxious Masuka later announced that millers would instead pay US$10 per tonne.
Moyo urged Government to align the law with the minister's pronouncement to avoid future disputes.
"We appeal to the authorities to amend the SI so it reflects the US$10 per tonne arrangement. Ministers and secretaries can change, but the SI will remain, and we don't want to be accused of breaking the law," he said.
Deputy Minister Modi assured the industry that the Government was committed to resolving the bottlenecks.
"We cannot afford to have milling companies close because of shortages," he said. "Millers will only pay US$10 per tonne, and we are working to ensure imports start as soon as possible."
GMAZ Southern Region vice-chairperson, Mthokozisi Sibanda, added that reliance on grain from the northern provinces had become unsustainable as farmers there were unwilling sellers.
"That is why we seek imports to be opened so we can restore sustainable supply in the region," Sibanda said, urging Government to fast-track import permits.
Several millers told the Deputy Minister that they had been forced to suspend operations for days or weeks due to the grain shortage. They stressed the need for consistent consultation with Government on policy shifts, saying stability was key to ensuring food security.
Source - The Chronicle
