Zimbabwe Suspends Import Duty On Fertilisers To Boost Farmers And Stabilise Prices
In a decisive move to enhance input affordability and stabilise agricultural productivity, the Government of Zimbabwe has suspended import duty on selected fertilisers for 12 months starting December 2025. This policy shift aims to address the acute challenges of high fertiliser costs that have been constraining smallholder and commercial farmers, especially during the critical 2025-26 summer cropping season under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
The suspension is officially detailed in Statutory Instrument 214 of 2025, enacted under the Customs and Excise Act. According to this legislation, duties on ammonium nitrate and urea—two vital nitrogenous fertilisers for maize and other cereal crops—will be lifted for up to 150 000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and 100 000 tonnes of urea imported by authorised suppliers within the next year.
Only fertiliser importers who are licensed and approved by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and local fertiliser manufacturers, qualify for this duty waiver. The strict eligibility criteria include adherence to approved tonnage limits and a rigorous price-monitoring framework that ensures producers sell fertilisers at responsible prices.
Under these regulations, any importer charging prices higher than the standard duty-paid rates will forfeit the suspension privileges and incur penalties, which serves as a safeguard against profiteering and price gouging. The Ministry of Agriculture has the mandate to maintain a vetted register of reputable importers committed to these obligations.
FFA Explainer Box: What is Ammonium Nitrate and Urea?
Ammonium nitrate and urea are commonly used nitrogen-based fertilisers that significantly improve crop yields by enhancing soil fertility. Nitrogen fertilisers stimulate leafy growth, which is essential for crops like maize, Zimbabwe’s staple food.
The fertiliser duty suspension is timely given the heavy reliance of Zimbabwean farmers on imported fertilisers—over 50% of the country’s demand, as estimated by industry stakeholders. Despite efforts to revive local fertiliser production, international price fluctuations and currency depreciation have made imports costly, limiting access for many farmers.
The high cost of fertilisers has led to under-application, especially among smallholder farmers who form the backbone of Zimbabwean agriculture. This situation directly contributes to depressed maize yields, threatening food security and rural livelihoods.
By ring-fencing this duty exemption to specific quotas and controlling pricing, the Government aims to strike a balance between stimulating supply, curbing excessive cost burdens, and protecting local manufacturers from unfair competition.
Case study: Enhancing Access for Smallholder Farmers in Mashonaland East
In Mashonaland East, farmer Trust Moyo, who cultivates maize on a two-hectare plot, expressed cautious optimism about the new policy. “Last season, fertiliser prices forced me to apply only half the recommended dosage. I hope this duty suspension means I can afford the right amounts, which should improve my yields and income,” he said.
This intervention aligns with NDS1’s pillar to Promote Sustainable and Inclusive Agricultural Growth by enhancing input accessibility for women and youth farmers who are disproportionately affected by high input costs.
Furthermore, the policy’s timely introduction ahead of the peak demand season for top-dressing fertiliser should ease immediate supply constraints, boosting planting activities across the country.
Looking ahead, sustained monitoring and enforcement will be crucial to ensure that fertiliser importers comply with licensing conditions and price regulations. The Government’s readiness to impose repayments of duties and penalties on violators reflects its commitment to transparent and fair market practices.
This fiscal incentive may also encourage private sector participation and investment in fertiliser importation and distribution, ultimately contributing to stabilised agro-input markets.
The duty suspension comes alongside parallel efforts to strengthen domestic fertiliser manufacturing capability, part of Zimbabwe’s longer-term strategy to reduce import dependency.
In summary, the removal of import duty on key fertilisers is an important step towards alleviating production costs, improving maize productivity, and supporting the livelihoods of Zimbabwe’s farmers. It embodies a practical and urgent response to current agricultural challenges, reinforcing Government commitment to food security and economic resilience under the framework of NDS1.
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