The government has granted permission to companies and individuals to import maize, rice, and cooking oil duty-free with effect from July 2024 to avert looming food shortages emanating from the El Nino-induced drought.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, 12 March, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere said that among other issues discussed, Cabinet discussed the importance of considering more hectarage for growing rice because of increased rice consumption by the citizens.
He said Cabinet also emphasized the need to support and promote local wheat production to swap wheat for maize to meet maize demand for the nation. Added Muswere:
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The food security strategy is based on the comparative and competitive advantages of wheat this winter.
The consumption of 7.5kg per person per month be used immediately for social welfare and be adjusted after October to 8.5kg per person per month.
The purchase of local grain at an import parity price of US$390 per tonne to mop up excess local grain.
Government has okayed a duty waiver on the importation of rice and potato seed, and the importation of genetically modified maize for stock feed, under strictly supervised milling and distribution.
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The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka added that rice and potatoes will be regarded as key staples to ensure national food security.
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Govt Okays Duty-free Food Imports, Genetically Modified Maize For Stockfeed

The Government has reimposed duty on cooking oil, maize meal, milk, sugar, rice, flour, salt, bath soap, washing soap, washing powder, toothpaste and petroleum jelly imports.
In May 2023, the Government allowed the importation of the aforementioned products duty-free in response to shortages and rapid price changes as suppliers resorted to forward pricing.
The repeal of the duty-free status was gazetted on Wednesday, 31 January, by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube in Customs and Excise (Suspension) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 272) published in Statutory Instrument 10A of 2024. Reads the SI:
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IT is hereby notified that the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, in terms of section 235 as read with section 120 of the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02], has made the following regulations:-
1. These regulations may be cited as the Customs and Excise (Suspension) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 272).
2. The Customs and Excise (Suspension) Regulations, 2003, published in Statutory Instrument 257 of 2003 (hereinafter called “the principal regulations”), are amended by the repeal of section 91 (Suspension of duty on Cooking Oil, Maize meal, Milk, Sugar, Rice, Flour, Salt, Bath Soap, Laundry Soap, Washing Soap, Washing Powder, Toothpaste and Petroleum Jelly) with effect from 1st February 2024.
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The repeal of the duty-free status is somewhat not surprising as the 2024 national budget proposed various taxes which have deepened citizens’ suffering.
Whilst Ncube backed down on some of his “outrageous” revenue-raising proposals, businesses and citizens now pay more taxes/fees than in 2023.
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Govt Reimposes Duty On Basic Grocery Items

The Government has given companies and individuals the green light to import 100 bags of cement (5 tonnes) and 100 bags of fertiliser (5 tonnes) duty-free with immediate effect until 31 December 2023.
In a Press statement issued this Wednesday, 08 November, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Sithembiso Nyoni, said the move is aimed at alleviating the shortage of the products in the market.
She, however, said those intending to import the products above 5 tonnes will require import licences from her Ministry. Said Nyoni:
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Following the Cabinet update on the supply situation of cement and fertilizer, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce will have an administrative arrangement with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) to alleviate the shortages in the market.
The arrangement will allow the importation of 100x50kg bags (5MT) of cement and 100x50kg bags (5MT) of fertilizer.
This arrangement will be implemented with immediate effect.
Companies or individuals will be allowed to import fertiliser and cement of the quantities shown above up to 31 December 2023 without the requirement of an import licence.
Quantities above this will require import licences from the Ministry.
This does not apply to commercial imports.
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Zimbabwe is experiencing an acute shortage of both fertiliser and cement which has resulted in prices shooting through the roof.
The shortage of fertiliser is negatively affecting a booming construction industry while the unavailability of fertiliser threatens the success of the 2023/24 summer cropping season.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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