Govt opens borders for duty-free importation of ma...

Govt opens borders for duty-free importation of maize

Patience Muchemwa

The Government has opened borders with immediate effect for the private sector to import maize duty-free.

This was revealed during the incentive planning prices meeting for the main summer crops for the 2023/24 season in Harare on Tuesday.

This comes as the Meteorological Services Department has predicted possible erratic and low rainfall patterns this year owing to the EI Nino conditions expected to affect Southern Africa as a result of climate change.

The actual assessment will be made by the regional meteorological unit before the start of the season.

“We are opening up borders with immediate effect and allowing the private sector to import maize with no duty as well. The same thing applies to the household imports of maize meal which we opened a few months ago. That continues to ensure supply so private players should engage in the importation of grain. We want to support our citizens,’’ Finance and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube said.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said permitting imports of maize by private firms was with immediate effect and those companies with their own resources could import as much as they wished.

‘’Private players must secure 40% of their annual raw material requirements from contracting farmers out there and the private sector is coming very strongly to assist the government and we must thank them for that,’’ Masuka said.

Meanwhile, the pre-planting producer prices of maize, sunflower and soya bean were also announced. The producer price of maize was set at US$335.05 per metric tonne, sunflower US$654.37/MT while that of soya bean was set at US$569.02/MT.