The Zimbabwe government has officially gazetted a new law that bans millers and local oil producers from importing grains, a move aimed at boosting local farmers. The dramatic policy move, designed to boost domestic agriculture and secure national food supplies, outlines a strict, phased timetable for companies to wean themselves off imports for good.
The Agricultural Marketing Authority (Grain, Oilseed and Products) Regulations, 2025, which were enacted last Friday, represent a direct intervention by the state to reshape the agricultural supply chain. The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, stated that the new rules are a cornerstone of the government’s strategy for economic empowerment.
‘These regulations are designed to ensure that our local farmers have a guaranteed market for their produce,’ a government spokesperson said. ‘This is a critical step towards achieving self-sufficiency and building a resilient agricultural sector that can withstand global market shocks.’
New Zimbabwe Law Bans Millers And Oil Producers From Importing Grains
From the 1st of April next year, all processors will be legally mandated to buy a minimum of 40 percent of their annual grain and oilseed needs from within Zimbabwe’s borders. This local content threshold is set to increase dramatically after a two-year adjustment period.
As of April 1, 2028, the rules become absolute. Companies will be compelled to source 100 percent of their requirements locally, with a complete ban on imports of these commodities taking effect. Exceptions will be rare, permitted only in what the legislation terms “instances of need” for specific contractors.
A New Fund to Protect Local Farmers
The regulations stipulate that whenever the landed cost of an imported product is lower than the government-set local production price, the processor must cover the difference.
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However, this price difference will not be passed directly to the farmer. Instead, the funds are to be deposited into the Agricultural Revolving Fund, a pot of money designed to be reinvested into the sector for future development and support.
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The post New Zimbabwe Law Bans Millers And Oil Producers From Importing Grains appeared first on iHarare News.
