The Competition and Tariff Commission (CTC) has launched a safeguard investigation into pasta imports after a 17.4 per cent surge last year, following a complaint that rising shipments are injuring the country’s sole domestic producer.
According to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday, imports rose from about 49.5 million kilogrammes in 2024 to 58.1 million kilogrammes in 2025.
The investigation follows an application by National Foods Limited, which started local production in February 2024 after previously importing pasta.
“The applicant alleges that pasta products are being imported into Zimbabwe in such increased quantities, in absolute terms and relative to domestic production, and under such conditions as to cause serious injury to the domestic industry producing like or directly competitive products,” the Commission said.
Imported pasta dominates the market. It accounted for about 88 per cent of the domestic market in 2024 and 87 per cent in 2025 – equivalent to 6.7 times and seven times local production respectively. Most shipments come from Botswana, China, Egypt, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa.
A preliminary price comparison found imports were selling below local product, undercutting domestic prices by up to 17.8 per cent.
National Foods, Zimbabwe’s largest food manufacturer and its biggest wheat buyer, says the surge has led to deteriorating financial performance and mounting losses.
The company has invested US$6 million in pasta manufacturing as part of a US$22.7 million investment in new pasta, biscuit and cereal plants, within a broader five-year US$50 million capital programme.
It commissioned a 1,200-tonne-per-month plant in 2025, producing the Primo and Better Buy brands.
Pasta sales were up 33 per cent in the six months to December. The plant was positioned to support local wheat farmers, who have delivered record harvests in recent seasons. The company planned to contract 4,600 hectares of wheat this season.
The Commission said, however, that operational indicators improved during the review period, with production, sales, capacity utilisation, productivity and market share all rising.
It said start-up and expansion costs linked to the shift from importing to local manufacturing may have contributed to the financial strain.
“The Commission recognises that factors other than increased imports may have contributed to the condition of the domestic industry,” it said.
It added: “The available evidence therefore provides a sufficient basis for the Commission to investigate whether imports have increased in such quantities, absolute and relative to domestic production, and under such conditions as to cause or threaten serious injury to the domestic industry, within the meaning of the Safeguard Regulations and the WTO Agreement on Safeguards.”
National Foods has requested a provisional safeguard measure pending the outcome. The Commission said it is considering whether delaying such a measure could cause damage that would be difficult to repair.
The investigation covers February 2024 to December 2025 and is expected to be completed within six months, with provision for a single extension of up to two months.
The Commission has invited domestic producers, importers, exporters, foreign producers, governments of exporting countries, trade associations and other interested parties to participate.
Those wishing to do so must indicate their interest in writing within 30 days of initiation and may submit evidence and arguments, including on whether a safeguard measure would be in the public interest.
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