Harare, Zimbabwe.
(News of The South) – Zimbabwe’s government has removed import duty on basic commodities such as maize, mealie-meal, and wheat flour.
Acting minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mangaliso Ndlovu, made the announcement while presenting the 41st Cabinet decisions matrix in Parliament yesterday.
“Cabinet noted the need to ensure the continued availability of essential foodstuffs in the market and to counter the effects of the drought that was experienced during the 2018/19 agricultural season.
Accordingly, Cabinet has resolved to implement the following temporary measures, removal of control of goods import permits for maize grain, maize meal, and wheat flour, with immediate effect and placement of wheat flour on the Open General Import Licence with immediate effect.
Millers and commercial users of grain are hereby informed that following the pronouncement in the 2020 national budget, the subsidy of grain has been removed with immediate effect.
In essence, all users of grain, including millers, will now buy grain at cost prices which currently stand at $4 000 (approximately US$250) for maize and small grain per tonne, and $8 612 (approximately US$538) for wheat per tonne.
Government will also be unveiling the mechanism for targeted subsidy for basic foodstuffs, particularly maize meal as outlined per 2020 budget statement once the finer details are worked out. This is intended as an additional cushion for vulnerable households and generality of Zimbabweans.
Cabinet, therefore, wishes to assure the nation that all measures possible will continue to be taken in order to ease the challenges of accessing food by all Zimbabweans,” said the minister.
The government said it’s determined to find ways of increasing the supply of basic commodities on the market.
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