MWE Correspondent
The Zanzibar Ports Corporation (ZPC) has announced an 80 percent reduction in import levies for all food items entering the islands from mainland Tanzania.
The policy, effective from November 10 to November 24, 2025, covers ports across Unguja and Pemba, including Malindi, Wete, and the Ngalawa area.
ZPC Director General Akif Ali Khamis said the decision responds to a sudden surge in essential food prices, which intensified in the week following the 2025 Tanzanian general election. “This reduction is intended to allow increased food imports, ensuring a steady supply and easing the burden on consumers,” Khamis explained.
The fee reduction applies to goods imported from mainland Tanzania as well as local products passing through Zanzibar ports. Traders anticipate that the measure will improve access to staples such as maize flour, tomatoes, and potatoes, while helping to stabilize retail prices. “This will provide much-needed relief to households facing sharp increases in food costs,” a local trader noted.
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Economists describe the temporary measure as a practical step to address short-term market disruptions. However, they caution that long-term price stability will require improved logistics, increased local production, and smoother trade flows.
This intervention highlights the important role of port management and customs fees in shaping the Zanzibar economy and influencing the affordability of essential goods. By lowering import costs, ZPC hopes to maintain a steady flow of commodities and mitigate the effects of food price inflation on vulnerable households.
The reduction also underscores broader regional challenges, as market fluctuations can quickly lead to higher consumer prices. Both traders and residents are closely monitoring how the policy will affect supply chains and whether it will effectively ease price pressures in the coming weeks.
