GMAZ takes Ministry of Agriculture head‑on

The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has confronted the Ministry of Agriculture over newly introduced import levies, demanding that Permanent Secretary Obert Jiri repeals the charges with immediate effect.

In a letter seen by Bulawayo24 News, GMAZ said the levies imposed through Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025 were introduced without consultation and would trigger sharp increases in the prices of basic commodities. The association said the levies were imposed by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) and include US$89.25 per metric tonne of imported soft wheat, US$89.25 per metric tonne of imported hard wheat after the 30 percent quota, US$40 per metric tonne of imported maize, US$20 per metric tonne of imported soya beans and US$35 per metric tonne of soya meal.

GMAZ said it had attempted to meet AMA chief executive Alice Mapfiza on 26 May, but she was reportedly unavailable despite shareholders, CEOs and senior executives from the milling and stockfeed industries attending the scheduled meeting. The association described her conduct as "condescending and truant", accusing AMA of refusing to publish the new levies as required.

The millers warned that the levies would have a severe inflationary impact on key food commodities. According to their calculations, a 10kg bag of roller meal would rise from US$4.60 to about US$5.20, while a 50kg bag of bakers' flour would increase from US$36 to US$41. Bread prices are expected to rise to at least US$1.15 per loaf, while stockfeed prices would increase by 18 percent, pushing up the cost of meat and milk.

GMAZ said it was shocked that the Ministry was imposing new levies barely two weeks after Cabinet announced that no new charges would be introduced and that some fees were being reduced to ease consumer spending pressures.

The association said the situation was particularly dire in Matabeleland, where millers have struggled for years to secure adequate supplies of locally grown maize due to drought and rising demand. GMAZ said 21 milling companies in Bulawayo closed in 2025 because of maize shortages, arguing that imposing a US$40 levy on imported maize was "insensitive, unfair and unreasonable".

GMAZ further accused the Minister of Agriculture of acting outside the law, arguing that the Agricultural Marketing Act only allows levies on locally grown produce. The association said imposing levies on imported grain amounted to taxation, which violates Section 298(2) of the Constitution. It also said the law requires stakeholder consultation, which did not take place.

The association said the levies were unprecedented, noting that imported grains and oilseeds had been exempt from customs duty, surtax, VAT and other permits since 1890 because they are essential for food security. GMAZ questioned why government had reduced vehicle number plate fees while imposing a 20 percent levy on grain imports.

GMAZ said it supported President Mnangagwa and the National Development Strategy 2, but argued that the new levies undermined efforts to stabilise prices and ensure affordable basic commodities.

The association demanded that the Ministry repeals Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025 by close of business or confirms in writing that it will be repealed within seven days. It also demanded that AMA refunds approximately US$9 million already collected from millers. GMAZ warned that if no action is taken, it will approach the courts for relief.