Zim lowers import tariffs on basic commodities

HARARE - The Zimbabwean government has lowered tariffs on the importation of basic commodities as the country battles soaring prices which have seriously eroded the incomes of households.

Citizens have of late been complaining of high prices on basic commodities as the government attributed them to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, which has affected the smooth flow of commodities. Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube announced Saturday night that the government was seized with the issue of improving the citizens’ access to affordable basic commodities.

“To further ensure that citizens have access to affordable basic commodities, in the face of recent substantial price increases in the shops, the government hereby opens up imports of basic commodities by citizens, through the lowering of import tariffs and other accompanying measures.”

This is with immediate effect.

Those with free funds are, with immediate effect, permitted to make use of these funds and other resources to import basic commodities, he said in a press statement.

With millions of citizens facing hunger following the poor 2021/22 agriculture season, the government has also offered incentives to farmers so that they deliver grain to the country’s sole grain procurer, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).

“In the quest to incentivise farmers and encourage early deliveries of maize and other grains to the Grain Marketing Board, the government has taken the decision to pay the maize farmers 30% of the amount due on grain delivered in US dollars and 70% in domestic Zimbabwe dollars.”

It remains to be seen whether farmers will be willing to deliver the maize under the new arrangement after they had complained that the floor prices for grains that had recently been set by the government were too low.