Rice supply chain players in Zimbabwe are seeking Finance minister Mthuli Ncube's intervention over VAT policy inconsistencies. In 2017, late Finance and Economic Development minister Patrick Chinamasa exempted rice from VAT to stabilize prices. However, suppliers and packers of 25kg bags or less have been demanded to pay VAT from 2017 by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. Since the exemption, VAT has not been charged by retailers and the Grain Marketing Board. The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers have called for an urgent meeting with the minister to address the issue. They have also warned that reinstating VAT on rice will lead to price increases and potential company liquidations due to backdated VAT payment amounts.