Government Suspends Duty on Mealie Meal to Stabilise Prices and Combat Smuggling

On 6th April, the government passed the Customs and Excise (Suspension) (Maize (Corn) Flour) Regulations in order to stabilise the prices of mealie meal.

This follows a shortage of mealie meal that has affected certain regions.

The statute, signed by Finance and National Planning Minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, allows for the suspension of duty on imported mealie meal, although this is only applicable to a holder of an import permit issued by the Minister of Agriculture.

In a statement on his Facebook page, President Hakainde Hichilema announced his government had activated an “emergency response” in order to address the meal shortage.

Other successful measures made as part of this response include the 5,000 bags of mealie meal recently supplied to the Copperbelt Province by the Zambia National Service (ZNS), a delivery that is set to continue on a weekly basis.

Hichilema also appealed to Zambians to “maintain lawful and orderly conduct” – a reference to concerns about the prolific smuggling of mealie meal that has exacerbated the situation.

In the Copperbelt Province, Minister Elisha Matambo announced his anti-smuggling task force had seized over 15,000 bags of mealie meal that had been illicitly traded. There are particular concerns about smuggling activity across the DRC border.

By suspending the duty on imported mealie meal, the government hopes to reduce the amount of smuggled goods into the country, thus stabilising the prices of mealie meal and increasing the availability of the foodstuff to Zambians.

Photo: Lusaka Times