By Sharon Tawuya
Harare, (New Ziana) – Gutu South legislator, Pupurai Togarepi, on Tuesday raised concern in Parliament over the high prices of cement and fertiliser in Zimbabwe, calling on Government to investigate why both products remain far more expensive than in neighbouring countries despite being produced locally.
Raising a point of national interest in the National Assembly, Togarepi said the price disparities were hurting economic development and threatening agricultural production, particularly in the face of the forecast El Niño-induced drought this year.
He said the average price of cement in the Southern African region was about US$7 per bag, while in Zimbabwe it was selling at US$15, and up to US$16 or US$17 in outlying areas.
“What could be the reason that the Minister of Industry and Commerce would give the people of Zimbabwe as the main factor because cement is mined and produced in Zimbabwe? Why should it be this expensive?” Togarepi asked.
He said the same applied to fertiliser, with the regional average price for Compound D and ammonium nitrate at about US$22, while in Zimbabwe ammonium nitrate was selling at US$53 and Compound D at about US$35.
“I do not understand why we have this. Is it not profiteering?” he asked.
Togarepi said high fertiliser prices were now a second blow to farmers after the drought, as many would fail to afford the key input.
“I do not know how we can be helped by the Minister of Industry and Commerce to carry out an investigation, including our Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce, for us to know the justification of these disparities. They are huge, even if we were importing from these neighbouring countries,” he said.
He noted that the price gap was driving some people to buy cement from Zambia to resell in Zimbabwe, despite the country having five or more cement producers.
“Why are they not giving us competitive prices to save our people?” he asked.
Zimbabwe’s fertiliser industry remains heavily dependent on imports to supplement limited local production, leaving farmers exposed to global price shocks and supply disruptions. Russia has become a key source of fertiliser for the country, including donations to support the Presidential Inputs Programme.
The issue has become topical again as the Government prepares for a predicted super El Niño in the 2026/27 summer season, which is expected to bring below-normal rainfall and a cereal deficit. Government has already approved duty-free imports of basal and top-dressing fertiliser to bridge supply gaps and ensure farmers access inputs ahead of the season.
Geopolitical tensions have further pushed up fuel and fertiliser prices and disrupted supplies, compounding the pressure on farmers still recovering from the 2024/25 season, described as Zimbabwe’s worst drought since 1980.
Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, said the Ministers of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development and Industry and Commerce would be advised to come to the House and present ministerial statements on the issue.
New Ziana
