VAT removal boosts Zimbabwe’s fish industry

AQUACULTURE companies and local fish farmers have welcomed the Government’s recent reforms supporting the agricultural and aquaculture sectors, describing them as a transformative boost for the industry and affordable nutrition.

For years, the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on fish and fish products had posed a major challenge, driving up consumer prices and increasing production costs for farmers.

While fish feed — the primary input for aquaculture — was already VAT exempt, the tax on final fish products created inefficiencies along the value chain, limiting competitiveness and discouraging local production.

The recent removal of VAT on fish is therefore expected to lower consumer prices, improve profitability for farmers, and make locally produced fish more accessible to Zimbabwean households.

Lake Harvest, one of the country’s leading aquaculture companies, described the move as a “transformative step” towards making nutritious fish more affordable for consumers.

Lake Harvest chief executive officer Mr Gerard McCollum commended the Government for implementing “high-impact reforms” and pledged the company’s commitment to increasing local fish production.

“These reforms provide an opportunity to work closely with thousands of small-scale farmers across the country. Our goal is to ensure that nutritious and affordable protein reaches all Zimbabweans, while strengthening rural livelihoods and the aquaculture sector,” Mr McCollum said.

The reforms align with the Government’s strategic goal of growing the aquaculture industry into a US$2.37 billion sector by 2030. Lake Harvest noted that the industry provides cost-effective products suitable for both informal markets and price-sensitive consumers, including processed fish cuts. This is expected to expand market reach while ensuring more families can access affordable, protein-rich food.

The company also acknowledged ongoing support from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, as well as the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, which have partnered with industry stakeholders to implement the reforms effectively.

Supporting the development, Zimbabwe Fish Producers Association chairperson Mr Garikai Munatsirei praised the Government for taking “decisive steps to stimulate growth in the aquaculture sector.”

He said the VAT removal is a “game-changer for both producers and consumers” and predicted that the reforms would attract more investment into fish farming nationwide.

“This is a clear signal that the Government is committed to supporting local production, food security, and the sustainability of rural livelihoods,” Mr Munatsirei said.

The reforms, he added, could significantly strengthen the aquaculture value chain by lowering production costs, encouraging higher output and making fish products more accessible in both urban and rural markets.