The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe has petitioned government to effect a ban on the importation of flour which it said has paralyzed the milling industry by forcing the closure of more than 300 milling companies.
In a petition delivered to the Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, by Tafadzwa Musarara, GMAZ chairman, this week millers said government should announce the ban on maize meal and flour“ mainly from Mozambique and South Africa, which crowded out local millers” in the 2016-2017 national budget.
“These cheap imports also depressed demand for local grain production, precipitating below cost maize and wheat producer prices, and affecting all key players in the grain value chain which include, among other farmers and packaging industries,” he said.
GMAZ, said for its suggestion to work government should re¬introduce the 20% Customs duty on imported flour which Chinamasa suspended in last year and also cancel the ring fenced import facility.
GMAZ,argued that the country has the capacity of producing flour for the confectionery industry as evidenced by the growing since 2009, of more than 1, 5 million tonnes of wheat and maize under the corporate and contract farming.
“The two biggest national brands in the bread industry, namely Bakers Inn and Proton have now resorted to using 100% local flour. Qualities of bread for these two brands remain at record high and ranks top in the region. This attests to massive investments that have been done by milling industry in re-tooling and retraining.
“Agriculture remains the least recipient of Foreign Direct Investment. In order to retain the current investment and also attract additional capital into contract and corporate farming, we propose that registered contract and corporate farming ventures be afforded the rights and privileges provided for under the Economic Processing Zones,” said GMAZ.
