The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to grain import levies designed to protect local farmers, finance irrigation infrastructure and reduce Zimbabwe’s dependence on imported food.
Fresh correspondence from the Ministry of Finance shows Treasury backing the continued implementation of revised levies and charges linked to grain imports under the 2025/26 grain marketing framework, despite earlier legal concerns over Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025.
The latest position comes as the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) challenges the policy in court, arguing that the levy framework is legally flawed.
However, Treasury’s latest communication indicates that Government intends to refine and operationalise the policy rather than abandon it.
Finance Secretary George Guvamatanga said pricing gaps between imported and locally produced grain continue to have significant implications for farmer viability, import substitution and macro-economic stability.
Treasury has also endorsed maintaining a wheat blending ratio of 70 percent locally produced soft wheat and 30 percent imported hard wheat, with imports beyond the threshold expected to attract levies.
The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) has been designated as the collecting agent, with proceeds earmarked for farmer support programmes, Grain Marketing Board payments and irrigation development projects.
Government says approximately US$5.7 million has already been raised through the levy framework, with part of the funds channelled towards irrigation projects across the country.
The policy has received backing from farmer unions and agricultural stakeholders who argue that stronger support for local production is critical for food security, particularly ahead of the anticipated 2026/27 El Niño season.
Officials maintain that the levies form part of a broader import substitution strategy aimed at reducing Zimbabwe’s food import bill, strengthening domestic production and protecting foreign currency reserves.
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