Zimbabwe Initiates WTO Safeguard Investigation into Pasta Imports Amid
Domestic Industry Losses
·
Investigation Overview: On 18
September 2026, Zimbabwe officially initiated a safeguard investigation into
imports of all pasta products under Harmonized System heading 1902 (including
spaghetti, macaroni, and noodles). The probe will determine whether rising
imports are causing or threatening serious injury to its newly established
domestic industry.
·
Import Dominance: Pasta
imports to Zimbabwe grew by 17.4% from 49.5 million kg in 2024 to 58.1 million
kg in 2025. Imports heavily dominate the market, accounting for roughly 87–88%
of total domestic market share and outnumbering local production by a 7-to-1
ratio in 2025. The primary exporting nations involved include Botswana, Egypt,
Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa.
·
Domestic Industry Injury: While
local production and sales showed some operational growth after a domestic
applicant transitioned from importing to manufacturing pasta in February 2024,
the local industry has suffered severe financial distress. Key indicators
reveal a substantial spike in financial losses and deteriorating returns on net
assets, exacerbated by imported pasta undercutting domestic prices by up to
17.8%.
·
Contributing Market Drivers: The
surge in imports has been attributed to unforeseen market changes, including
shifting domestic consumption patterns toward pasta as an affordable staple,
expanded regional exports from Egypt under preferential COMESA trade rules, and
regional trade diversions from measures enacted in South Africa and Madagascar.
·
Timeline and Procedures: Managed
by Zimbabwe's Competition and Tariff Commission, the investigation is legally
mandated to conclude within six months (with a maximum two-month extension).
Interested parties have 30 days from the initiation date to submit comments,
register their interest, or request oral hearings.
[ABS News Service/27310.2026]
In the notification Zimbabwe
indicated, among other things, as follows:
Interested
parties
Interested parties desiring
to participate in the investigation shall have a period of 30 days from the
date of initiation to indicate to the Investigating Authority in writing their
interest in participating in the investigation. Comments from interested
parties should be submitted within 30 days from the date of initiation of the
investigation. Requests for an oral hearing should be submitted in writing to
the Commission at the address below within 30 days from the date of the
investigation's initiation. stating the reasons for not relying solely on
written submissions. No request for an oral hearing will be considered more
than 60 days from the date of this initiation notice.
At the time of the request
for an oral hearing, parties must provide the Commission with a detailed agenda
and a complete version of all information to be discussed. including a
non-confidential version if the information contains a confidential component.
In the case of non-responses or late submissions, decisions will be made based
on the best available information. Public hearings may be held either at the
request of interested parties or at the discretion of the Commission, allowing
parties to present evidence and comments, respond to the presentations of
others, and defend their interests.
A safeguard investigation
seeks to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or are
threatening to cause, serious injury to a domestic industry.
During a safeguard
investigation, importers, exporters and other interested parties may present
evidence and views and respond to the presentations of other parties.
A WTO member may take a
safeguard action (i.e. restrict imports of a product temporarily) only if the
increased imports of the product are found to be causing, or threatening to
cause, serious injury.