Grain Millers Demand Immediate Repeal of New Import Levies, Warn of Bread and Mealie Meal Price Hikes

HARARE – The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has challenged the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development over newly introduced grain import levies, warning that the measures will trigger significant increases in the prices of basic food commodities and worsen inflationary pressures on consumers.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to Agriculture Permanent Secretary Obert Jiri and seen by Southerton Business Times, GMAZ demanded the immediate repeal of Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, arguing that the levies were introduced without stakeholder consultation and are unlawful.

The levies, which are being administered through the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), include US$89.25 per metric tonne of imported soft wheat, US$89.25 per metric tonne of imported hard wheat beyond the 30 percent quota threshold, US$40 per metric tonne of imported maize, US$20 per metric tonne of imported soya beans, and US$35 per metric tonne of imported soya meal.

GMAZ said the additional costs would inevitably be passed on to consumers, resulting in sharp increases in the prices of staple foods. According to the association's projections, the retail price of a 10-kilogram bag of roller meal could rise from approximately US$4.60 to US$5.20. A 50-kilogram bag of bakers' flour is expected to increase from US$36 to US$41, while the price of a loaf of bread could rise to at least US$1.15.

The association further warned that stockfeed prices would increase by around 18 percent, creating additional pressure on livestock producers and potentially leading to higher prices for meat, milk, and other agricultural products.

GMAZ also criticised AMA over what it described as a lack of transparency and engagement with industry stakeholders. The association said its members, including chief executives and senior representatives from the milling and stockfeed sectors, attended a scheduled meeting with AMA chief executive Alice Mapfiza on 26 May to discuss the levies.

However, GMAZ claimed the meeting failed to take place because Mapfiza was unavailable. The association accused AMA of failing to properly publish details of the levies and described the regulator's conduct as dismissive of industry concerns.

The millers argued that the impact would be particularly severe in Matabeleland, where recurrent droughts and limited local maize production have forced companies to rely heavily on imported grain. According to GMAZ, 21 milling companies in Bulawayo ceased operations in 2025 due to maize shortages and supply constraints. The association described the US$40 per tonne levy on imported maize as "insensitive, unfair and unreasonable" given the region's food security challenges.

GMAZ further questioned the legality of the levies, arguing that the Agricultural Marketing Act permits levies on locally produced agricultural commodities but does not explicitly provide for charges on imported grain. The association contends that imposing levies on imports effectively amounts to taxation, which it says may conflict with Section 298(2) of Zimbabwe's Constitution. It also argued that the law requires stakeholder consultation before such measures are introduced, a process it says was not followed.

The association said the levies contradict recent government efforts to ease the cost of living and came shortly after the Cabinet announced measures aimed at reducing selected fees and charges. While reaffirming its support for President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), GMAZ said the new charges risk undermining food affordability and economic stability.

The association has demanded that the Ministry either immediately repeal Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025 or provide written confirmation within seven days that the measure will be withdrawn. It has also called on the AMA to refund approximately US$9 million allegedly collected from millers under the levy framework. GMAZ warned that failure to address its concerns could result in legal action, with the association indicating it is prepared to seek relief through the courts.

Zimbabwe grain import levies