In a welcomed move to tackle the challenges posed by the El Nino-induced drought, the Zimbabwean Government has unveiled a new policy aimed at easing the burden on its citizens. Under this policy, regular folks can now bring in specific groceries from abroad without having to pay import duty.
During a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Jenfran Muswere, highlighted several measures that have been put in place to ensure food security and prevent hunger-related deaths.
Among the measures announced is an increase in the maize producer price from US$335 to US$390 per tonne to encourage farmers to sell their grain. It is unclear if farmers will receive the full amount in foreign currency. Typically, the payment is made in a combination of US dollars and the local currency, which is converted at the prevailing interbank rate.
Additionally, farmers now have the green light to import Genetically Modified stock feed. They can also import rice and potato seeds duty-free. These steps are intended to further enhance food security in the country.
In a move that is sure to bring joy to ordinary Zimbabweans, Minister Muswere also revealed that starting from July of this year, households will be allowed to import maize, rice, and cooking oil without paying any duty.
The full statement issued by the Minister reads as follows:
In light of the foregoing, Cabinet has approved as follows:
i. the Food Security Outlook Report to March 2025 to facilitate winter cereals production planning;
ii. the food security strategy based on the comparative and competitive advantages of wheat this winter;
iii. that 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;
iv. the purchase of local grain at import parity price of US$390 per tonne to mop up excess local grain;
V.duty waiver on the importation of rice and potato seed;
vi. importation of Genetically Modified stock feed, under strict supervised milling and distribution;
vii. duty-free importation of maize, rice and cooking oil by households with effect from July 2024;
viii. re-activation of the Grain Mobilisation Committee to monitor private sector imports as well household imports.
Source Iharare
