Millers not happy with AMA CEO conduct

Millers in Zimbabwe have expressed displeasure over what they describe as the refusal by Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) chief executive Alice Mapfidza to meet them for an urgent discussion on newly imposed import levies.

A letter dated 22 May, seen by this publication, shows that the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) and the National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) formally requested an urgent meeting with Mapfidza to discuss the levies on imported wheat and maize. The letter proposed a meeting at 10am on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, at AMA's offices.

The millers said the matter was urgent, warning that the levies would trigger sharp increases in the prices of bread, flour, maize meal and stockfeed, with potential consequences for national food security.

They further claimed the levies were imposed without consultation and without being advertised in the press, contrary to established practice.

Contacted for comment, Mapfidza said she was unavailable on the proposed date and had communicated that she would meet the millers on Friday at 10am instead.

However, the millers insist that no such communication was received and maintain that Mapfidza failed to honour their request for engagement.