Zimbabwe allows duty-free fertiliser imports

The Zimbabwean Government will allow duty-free imports of basal and top-dressing fertilisers and maintain duty-free imports of basic commodities as it prepares for a potentially severe drought during the 2026/2027 summer cropping season.

The measures are intended to cushion farmers and consumers against anticipated shortages, rising prices and supply disruptions linked to a predicted Super El Niño and geopolitical tensions.

The announcements were made during Tuesday's Post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare by Acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Paul Mavhima.

Mavhima said the coming agricultural season faced two major threats: the predicted El Niño weather phenomenon and international tensions expected to push up fuel and fertiliser prices while disrupting supplies.

Drawing lessons from the 2024/2025 agricultural season, when Zimbabwe experienced its worst drought since 1980, Government has outlined six strategic intervention pillars for the 2026/2027 Summer Plan.

These include strengthening the Strategic Grain Reserve, accelerating climate-smart agricultural production, improving agricultural financing, mitigating livestock losses during droughts, enhancing imports, and strengthening coordination, early-warning systems and capacity-building support.

Government and the private sector, including self-financing farmers, have mobilised funding for the season.

Mavhima said Statutory Instrument 214 of 2025 had allowed the importation of 150 000 metric tonnes of ammonium nitrate and 100 000 metric tonnes of urea.

However, rising international prices and anticipated logistical delays have prompted Government to allow duty-free imports of both basal and top-dressing fertilisers to address expected shortages in local production.

Households will also continue benefiting from duty-free imports of basic commodities under Statutory Instrument 59 of 2006, which remains in effect until March 2028. The measure is intended to protect consumers from price shocks.

Meanwhile, Cabinet has resolved to introduce tougher penalties against foreign-owned businesses that continue operating unlawfully in economic sectors reserved for Zimbabwean citizens.

Government said most foreign-owned entities had not regularised their operations despite nationwide awareness campaigns and the issuance of non-compliance notices.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce will suspend or revoke operating licences of businesses that fail to comply with regulations governing reserved sectors, including retail and brick moulding.

Cabinet also reviewed Zimbabwe's cooperation with Serbia and Tajikistan following the signing of memorandums of understanding in information and communication technology. The agreements are intended to support cybersecurity and advance the country's digital transformation agenda.

The briefing also outlined preparations for the 2026 SADC Anti-Sanctions Solidarity Day commemorations, which will be held in Bindura, Mashonaland Central Province.

The theme for this year is "Leveraging Regional Integration and Global Partnerships for Economic Transformation beyond Illegal Sanctions".

Government said the commemorations would provide an opportunity to reflect on the socio-economic effects of sanctions on Zimbabwe and their wider regional implications, while highlighting regional cooperation, trade facilitation and the development of regional value chains.

Cabinet also reviewed the 19th edition of the CEO Africa Roundtable, held in Cape Town, South Africa, where discussions focused on intra-African trade.

The measures announced by Government come as authorities prepare for a summer cropping season in which weather uncertainty, agricultural input costs and supply-chain disruptions could affect food production and household budgets.