Treasury introduces grain import levy 

Treasury has introduced a levy on selected grain and oilseed imports as part of efforts to protect local producers, promote agricultural production and strengthen food security. 

The new measure follows recommendations by a Joint Technical Committee, which identified significant price differences between imported grain and locally produced crops, raising concerns that cheaper imports could undermine domestic farmers and discourage production. 

In a letter dated 30 April 2026, addressed to the Secretary for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Professor Obert Jiri and the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance, George Guvamatanga said the levy would be collected by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) at the point of import permit issuance. 

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