In a move to standardise transactions and provide clarity for growers and millers, the Zimbabwean government has set the sugar cane price at USD72.40 per tonne. The Sugar Production Control (Notification of Sugar Cane Purchase Price) Regulations, 2026, introduced through Statutory Instrument 174, override existing contractual terms between private growers and millers, establishing a uniform purchase price for sugar cane in the industry.
The regulations, effective immediately, require millers to pay private growers for sugar cane delivered on or before the 8th day of the month following delivery, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Failure to comply may result in penalties, including a fine not exceeding level 5 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. Directors, managers, or principal officers of corporate entities who knowingly participate in the offence are personally liable.
The Zimbabwe Sugar Association has welcomed the regulations, which aim to protect growers’ rights and promote transparency in the sugar sector. Published in the Zimbabwean Government Gazette on October 30, 2026, the regulations signal stricter enforcement of sugar cane payment rules, ensuring fairness and accountability in the industry.
The government’s move aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) goals, aiming to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030. By regulating sugar cane prices and enforcing payment rules, the government is promoting agricultural growth, food security, and rural development, key pillars of NDS2. This initiative is expected to boost the sugar industry’s contribution to the national economy, create jobs, and improve livelihoods, ultimately driving Zimbabwe towards its development aspirations.
