Sugar products imports rile farmers

Masvingo Business Correspondent
SUGARCANE farmers have urged the government to tighten controls on sugar imports saying the country has enough of the product to meet local demand.
Zimbabwe Sugarcane Farmers Development Association (ZSFDA) chairman, Edmore Veterai said while government has banned agricultural imports, foreign sugar and sugar products continue to flood the domestic market to the detriment of local industry.

The retired police Senior Assistant Commissioner urged the country’s businesses to show patriotism and support local producers by buying what is produced at home.

“It is disturbing to note that businesspeople continue opting for imported sugar when we have plenty of sugar in the country. The trend is worrying because it is the local sugar industry that suffers. I think we should all embrace the ‘Buy Zimbabwe Campaign’,” said Veterai.

“Zimbabwe has surplus sugar such that we should not be seen importing the same product. Instead, we should export more sugar, as ours is of high standard. Surprisingly, the imported sugar is of substandard quality yet we continue seeing it on our shelves.”

Veterai said most shops in Zimbabwe were flooded with imported sweets yet the commodity was available in abundance at home. He said the trend was worrying at a time when the country was trying to revive its industry and create jobs.

“There should be a deliberate policy on these imports to protect local industry before it is too late. This will also curb the proliferation of substandard products into the country,” he said.

In 2012, about 83,983 metric tonnes of sugar were imported compared to less than two thirds of the figure that were exported.
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr John Mangudya, in his mid-term monetary policy statement on Monday, noted with concern imports flooding the local market.

He proposed weeding out of importation of “none essentials” and called for moderation of the price system to promote local growth.
Veterai said indigenous sugarcane farmers now control about 16,000 hectares of sugarcane in Chiredzi plantations outside the land controlled by Tongaat Hullet.