Beatrice Kumbana
Political Reporter
HARARE – A Zimbabwean legislator has issued a stark warning that the nation’s sugar industry faces extinction within seven years if the government fails to act decisively against the threats posed by an impending international trade agreement and a flood of cheap imports.
The dire prediction came from Hon. Mushoriwa during a recent parliamentary debate centred on amendments to the International Sugar Agreement, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has tabled for approval.
Hon. Mushoriwa highlighted the severe pressure already on local producers, citing retrenchments at major sugar estates and the existential risk posed by cheaper, unfortified imported sugar.
“The government’s vital policy to fortify our local sugar with essential nutrients, like vitamin B, is being directly undermined by the influx of unfortified imported sugar,” Mushoriwa stated.
“This is not just an economic issue; it is a public health concern. We cannot allow imported products to lower our national nutritional standards.”
Zimbabwe has recorded a sugar surplus for the past two years, yet local companies like Hippo Valley and Tongaat Hullet are struggling.
MPs were briefed on the challenges at a workshop on July 31, 2025, featuring experts from the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA).
The core of the concern is that the new international agreement, which only 19 member states had accepted as of May 2025, could further open the market to giants like Brazil and Cuba.
These countries operate on a massive economic scale, allowing them to produce sugar at a much lower cost.
Mushoriwa expressed deep apprehension about the future, linking it to global health trends.
“As health consciousness rises worldwide, we are already seeing limiting regulations and a sugar tax here at home,”
he said.
“The convergence of these factors—cheaper imports, larger foreign economies of scale, and changing consumer habits—creates a perfect storm that could wipe out our local industry in just seven years if we are not careful.”
He urgently called for a comprehensive government strategy and wider consultations before Zimbabwe signs any binding agreements.
“We must have a clear plan to bolster our sugar industry,” he insisted.
“We cannot enter into agreements that will unfavourably affect our local producers without a fight. The livelihoods of thousands of Zimbabweans depend on this.”
A parliamentary committee has recommended that the House approve the proposed amendments to the International Sugar Agreement by September 30, 2025. It noted that while the reforms could grant Zimbabwe greater influence and valuable market intelligence, they also risk widening the gap between developed and developing nations.
The committee concluded that the situation demands a strategic and active approach.
It stated that with careful management, sugar could be transformed from a simple export crop into a cornerstone of energy, industry, and rural development. However, a passive stance could jeopardize the country’s sovereignty in the global sugar economy.
As the debate continues, the government is under growing pressure to provide a robust response, with many citizens whose livelihoods are tied to the sugar industry watching closely.
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