Zimpapers Logo

Business Correspondent
BANNED potatoes from neighbouring South Africa continue to be smuggled into the country affecting the viability of the local potato producers, players in the sector have said. The Government banned the importation of Genetically Modified (GMOs) potatoes to protect local farmers but unscrupulous dealers are illegally bringing them into the country through the country’s porous border posts.

Farmers from Umguza and Nyamandlovu spoken to last week said the smuggling of potatoes was affecting the viability of the potatoe farming industry.
“Our potato farming business is worsening because GMO potatoes continue to be smuggled into the country at our expense,” said Mr Peter Dube, a farmer from Nyamandlovu.

Mr Dube said they had enough supplies of potatoes to feed the country but the smuggling of cheap potatoes was affecting local production.
“We don’t need to import these genetically modified potatoes because we have enough to supply the local market. What we need is to be protected from cheap imports and we will be able to feed the whole nation,” said Mr Dube.

Local consumers shun buying local potatoes arguing that they were too expensive. In Bulawayo a bag of imported potatoes costs around $9 while locally grown ones sell at $13 to $18.

Another farmer, Mrs Sofia Ncube, from Umguza, said locally produced potatoes were a bit expensive than the imported ones because they were of better quality.
She said there was need to stop the rampant corruption at the border post where the smugglers are allegedly paying authorities to let in the illegal agricultural produce.

“The Government needs to deal with the smugglers who are bribing Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officials, police and security officers manning Beitbridge Border Post so that we can stop this rot,” said Mrs Ncube. The Potato Council of Zimbabwe (PCZ) recently warned that those who continue smuggling potatoes would face arrest.

“The Potato Council of Zimbabwe promotes the production of locally produced potatoes. We warn all stakeholders that South African potatoes are being illegally imported and sold on the Bulawayo market.

“Please be advised there is a risk of confiscation when the government authorities take measures to stamp out this illegal trade. There are adequate supplies of Zimbabwe produced potatoes,” said the statement.