Blue Ribbon and 23 millers halt Bulawayo operations over maize shortage

Blue Ribbon Industries and 23 other medium and small-scale millers have halted operations in Bulawayo due to a severe shortage of locally produced maize. The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) southern region chairperson, retired Major David Moyo, notified the ministries of industry and agriculture of the closures.

Moyo stated that declining supplies from farmers have made it impossible for millers to maintain consistent production or build necessary reserves. He also noted that some available local maize has been affected by insect infestation, increasing operational costs. The industry expressed skepticism regarding official claims of a bumper harvest, stating, “We can’t find the much-taunted bumper maize harvest.”

Furthermore, millers criticized Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, which requires an upfront payment of US$40 per tonne for imported maize. Moyo argued this levy, intended to equalize prices between imported and local grain, is no longer effective because local supplies have vanished. The requirement has also prevented millers from utilizing previous 30- to 60-day payment terms for imports.