Buy Zimbabwe General Manager, Alois Burutsa, has welcomed the government’s proposal to ban cereal imports, saying the move will slash the country’s trade deficit and empower local farmers and manufacturers.
Reacting to Lands and Agriculture Minister Dr. Anxious Masuka’s recommendation to stop cereal imports due to an anticipated bumper harvest, Burutsa said the decision was timely and economically strategic.
“As Buy Zimbabwe, we are very happy with the recommendation by the Minister of Agriculture to ban grain imports,” he said. “This year, we are expecting a bumper harvest that should not only meet national consumption needs but create a surplus. So, there is no need to import grains at all.”
Zimbabwe imported over US$900 million worth of grains—including wheat, maize, and soybeans—between 2024 and 2025. Burutsa argued that such imports were unnecessary because the country has the climate, soils, and skills to produce these crops locally.
“Why should we spend so much bringing in products we can grow here?” he asked. “This ban will drastically reduce our trade deficit, while promoting local productivity.”
Beyond farming, Burutsa urged the government to fully localize the agriculture value chain. He called for support to local fertilizer manufacturers who are currently struggling, despite having the capacity to supply the national market.
“Let’s ensure that we support our local fertilizer companies. Many are owed millions by the government, and this affects their operations. If they’re supported, we’ll reduce fertilizer imports too,” he said.
Burutsa added that this localized approach would have a ripple effect across the economy, stimulating packaging companies, creating jobs, and boosting national revenue.
His remarks come in response to a statement by Dr. Masuka during the launch of the CLAFA-2 (Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment) report, which revealed that Zimbabwe’s expected maize output of over 2.2 million tonnes and traditional grains output of more than 630,000 tonnes would generate a cereal surplus of up to 1.2 million tonnes.
Stakeholders in the agriculture sector, including the Zimbabwe National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) and Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU), have also thrown their weight behind the proposed ban, urging industry players to prioritize local grain purchases before seeking import permits.
However, agricultural expert Dr. Reneth Mano cautioned that any import restrictions must consider timing, as most of the current crop is still drying in the field. He warned that banning imports too early—before July—could disrupt the agro-processing industry and food price stability.
Still, Burutsa remained upbeat: “We applaud our farmers for their hard work and urge the government to now match that commitment by supporting local input manufacturers. It’s the only way to achieve real self-sufficiency and economic growth.”
