Zimbabwe's Grain Millers Association in the Southern Region welcomed the government's action to remove Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025. Deputy Minister Raj Modi conducted facility visits at Bulawayo milling operations on Monday to assess industry conditions. Regional chairperson David Moyo reported widespread production shutdowns due to raw material scarcity, which is affecting meal distribution to retail outlets. The lifted restrictions will enable grain importers to resume operations and stabilize commodity pricing. Government officials heard industry appeals and responded by eliminating import barriers.
The original statute prohibited grain importation except under specific circumstances and mandated local sourcing quotas. Processors were required to obtain 40 percent of their materials domestically by April 2026 and complete local procurement by 2028. Agricultural Minister Anxious Masuka established pricing benchmarks through import parity and production parity standards to protect farmers. Millers may access international markets by contributing ten dollars per metric ton to the Agricultural Revolving Fund. Deputy Minister Modi confirmed the governmental commitment to resolving supply challenges and preventing facility closures.
The original statute prohibited grain importation except under specific circumstances and mandated local sourcing quotas. Processors were required to obtain 40 percent of their materials domestically by April 2026 and complete local procurement by 2028. Agricultural Minister Anxious Masuka established pricing benchmarks through import parity and production parity standards to protect farmers. Millers may access international markets by contributing ten dollars per metric ton to the Agricultural Revolving Fund. Deputy Minister Modi confirmed the governmental commitment to resolving supply challenges and preventing facility closures.
