Online Reporter
Business Reporter
Zimbabwe has, with immediate effect, suspended excise duty on raw wine imports for two years.
The move, provided for under Statutory Instrument 68 of 2025, aims to significantly reduce production costs for local wineries and enhance the competitiveness of the domestic wine industry.
Under the terms of the new legal provision, an “approved wine manufacturer” is defined as any importer who has received formal approval from the Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) to import these specific quantities of raw wine, not exceeding 100 000 litres per year.
To qualify for the excise duty suspension, an approved wine manufacturer must, when effecting entry on importation, submit a signed declaration affirming that the raw wine will be exclusively utilised for processing at their approved business.
However, Zimra retains the authority to deny the suspension if the manufacturer is found to be non-compliant with Section 34C of the Revenue Authority Act, which broadly covers tax clearance certificates and general tax compliance.
This two-year suspension is expected to provide a crucial impetus for the growth of Zimbabwe’s wine manufacturing sector.
The Zimbabwean wine industry is a modest but evolving sector, showing signs of potential growth despite historical challenges.
The total wine market in Zimbabwe is projected to reach US$12,64 million in 2025, according to Statista, a German online platform specialising in global economic data and business intelligence
The majority of the revenue, US$11,77 million, is expected to be generated from at-home consumption (supermarkets and convenience stores).
Projected revenue from out-of-home consumption (restaurants and bars) is significantly smaller, at US$875 000.
The total volume of wine consumption is estimated at 7,20 million litres in 2025, while the average revenue per capita for at-home wine consumption is US$0,68, with an average volume of 0,37 litres per person at home.
