ZANU PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi called for an immediate parliamentary investigation into agricultural input costs on Tuesday, pointing out that Zimbabwean farmers pay roughly double the prices charged in neighboring countries.
Raising the issue as a point of national interest, Togarepi pressed Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobingiza Mangaliso Ndlovu for a ministerial statement to clarify the wide supply chain disparities, according to allAfrica.com. Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda ultimately waived the request for an immediate ministerial address.
Togarepi pushed back against the delay, arguing that local producers face severe financial strain ahead of the approaching agricultural season. “In the region, a bag of fertiliser is about US$25. In Zimbabwe today, that same bag is US$50,” Togarepi said, as reported by allAfrica.com. “So the difference, I do not understand why we have this. Is it cost-sharing? Are these people carrying costs that we don’t know?”
Lawmakers turned their focus toward production, import, and distribution costs as domestic prices continue to outpace regional averages. Togarepi said that historical pricing in Zimbabwe remained competitive internationally before costs escalated.
High production expenses threaten profitability for both commercial growers and participants in the Pfumvudza program as preparations for the 2026/27 summer cropping season get underway. Farmers increasingly look across borders to secure necessary supplies despite extra logistical hurdles. “That is why we have seen people buying from other countries,” Togarepi said, according to allAfrica.com. “Why are they giving us competitive prices to save our people?”
The legislator urged the Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce to examine the entire commercial value chain. He maintained that imported agricultural inputs would remain cheaper than domestic alternatives even with transport expenses factored in.
Beyond agricultural supplies, lawmakers also addressed soaring cement costs that put home construction out of reach for many citizens. Togarepi argued that Parliament carries a duty to shield consumers from market exploitation by local manufacturers.
The debate highlights broader affordability challenges across construction and farming sectors as input expenses climb. “I don’t know how we can be helped by this Industry Committee if we cannot go to this place and put in our portfolio committee for Industry and Commerce for us to know the justification of these disparities,” Togarepi said, as published by allAfrica.com. “They are huge.”
Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda waived the request for an immediate address by Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobingiza Mangaliso Ndlovu on Tuesday.
A bag of fertilizer costs approximately US$50 in Zimbabwe, compared to about US$25 in neighboring countries, according to ZANU PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi.
Togarepi urged the Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce to investigate production, import, and distribution expenses across the supply chain.
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