From the Lowveld to the world
Approximately 65% of Zimbabwe's sugar production serves the domestic market. The remaining 35% flows out to regional African markets, the United States, and (to a lesser extent) the European Union.
The US tariff rate quota
Zimbabwe is a beneficiary of the US tariff rate quota (TRQ) programme, typically receiving an annual raw sugar allocation of approximately 12,636 metric tonnes. This allows duty-free export to the US market.
Zimbabwe consistently fully utilises its quota and any additional re-allocations each year. The US market offers attractive pricing compared to other destinations.
Regional Africa
SunSweet brown sugar is supplied across Southern, East, and Central Africa. Negotiations for supply into additional East and Central African markets are ongoing.
Zimbabwe sees significant untapped potential in African markets, particularly with the prospective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which could lower barriers to intra-African sugar trade.
European Union
Exports to Europe have declined significantly since 2017, when the EU reformed its domestic sugar policy by removing production restrictions for domestic sugar beet and eliminating preferential sugar prices for developing countries including Zimbabwe.
This increased EU domestic supply and made EU market returns unfavourable compared to other export destinations.
Protecting the domestic value chain
In 2014, the Zimbabwe government instituted a 10% customs duty plus a US$100 per metric tonne surtax on sugar imports from countries outside SADC and COMESA to protect the local industry. Despite these measures, illegal imports of refined sugar continue to enter the domestic market.
Statutory Instrument 80 of 2023 was repealed on 1 February 2024, temporarily allowing sugar imports. Local producers report that over 16 foreign brands, notably lacking Vitamin A fortification, entered the market. The Zimbabwe Sugar Association continues to lobby for enforcement of import duties and protection of the domestic value chain.
Government policy also requires exporters to convert 25% of export receipts into local currency, which discourages exports as the converted revenue loses value against the US dollar.
The sugar tax
A sugar tax was introduced in 2024 at US$0.0010 per gramme. It was halved in the 2025 National Budget to US$0.0005 per gramme. While offering some relief to beverage manufacturers, other cost pressures remain.
Where this fits
The fortification cost premium that sets Zimbabwean sugar apart from imports is explained on the fortification and health page. The full set of production figures behind exports lives on the production statistics page.