Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
GOVERNMENT has warned grain and oilseed buyers they must buy 40 percent of their annual needs from local farmers before they can import the rest.
The directive comes as the harvest has now reached over 90 percent. The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) and Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX) called on local industries to prioritise the procurement of locally produced grain and agricultural commodities to build a self-sustaining economy and reduce dependence on imports.
AMA chief executive, Ms Alice Mapfiza warned that continued dependence on imported raw materials weakened domestic value chains and limited opportunities for local farmers and agro-processors.
“We call upon agro-processors to intensify purchasing and stocking their annual requirements now from local farmers, the majority of whom have finished harvesting.
“Buyers can only start thinking of importing their 60 percent quota after proving to the authority the purchase of 40 percent of their requirements from local farmers,” she said.
The authority emphasised that local procurement by millers, stockfeed manufacturers, food processors, retailers and other industries would stimulate production and create sustainable markets for farmers.
“Every tonne of grain produce imported despite local production potential represents lost income for farmers, reduced industrial linkages, fewer rural employment opportunities and foreign currency leakages,” she added.
ZMX chief executive, Mr Collen Tapfumaneyi, said his organisation was geared to support seamless grain and oilseed trading.
“We started weekly grain and oilseed auction trading from April 1, and this will continue throughout the year.
“ZMX is offering trade finance facilities/deferred payment options to processors to speed up procurement of the raw material needs,” he said.
Mr Tapfumaneyi noted that the weekly online auction trading was benefiting large-scale farmers who are tech-savvy.
“ZMX is now going to production areas in the country where there are high volumes of grain and oilseeds, and will conduct hybrid auctions.
“We have 33 certified warehouses spread across the country’s seven provinces,” he added.
Through the ZMX platform, agro-processors and contractors will be able to report procurement transactions digitally, track import eligibility in real time and access structured market information and compliance services under one integrated system.
The initiative is intended to bring structured markets closer to farmers, reduce transport and access barriers, improve price discovery and enable farmers to conveniently participate in transparent and competitive grain trading systems within their local regions.
Government enacted Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 2025 (CAP. 18:24) Agricultural Marketing Authority (Grain, Oilseed and Products) (Amendment) Regulations (No. 2), last year, to govern the import of grains and oilseed products as well as encourage local production.
According to section 13, “No person shall import grain, oilseed and products, except for contractors in instances of need. (2) Where the landed import parity price is lower than the local production parity price, the difference shall accrue to the Agricultural Revolving Fund. (3) With effect from 1st April, 2026, all processors must source at least fourty per centum of their annual requirements of grain, oilseed and products locally, and with effect from 1st April, 2028, one hundred per centum of all annual requirements of grain, oilseed and products must be sourced locally.”
According to the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) latest update, farmers have so far harvested 2 716 045 tonnes of maize, a major milestone that has secured the country’s grain requirements and strengthened prospects for national food security following a successful 2025-26 agricultural season.
The bumper harvest, achieved across the country’s major grain-producing provinces, comes as harvesting nears completion, with farmers having reaped 1 818 148 hectares, representing 96 percent of the total maize area.
The 2026 marketing season will be guided by the new grain procurement and import verification framework, which is designed to create a transparent, accountable system that prioritises local farmers while ensuring agro-processors continue to access grain supplies in an orderly and efficient manner.
AMA will provide overall regulatory and supervisory oversight, while the ZMX will provide the online trading, reporting and verification platform responsible for monitoring procurement and import compliance.
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) will provide the backbone storage infrastructure supporting the framework alongside approved private warehouse operators across the country.
