Eswatini's National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard) will enforce a 24% levy on imported edible oils from September 1, 2026, tightening compliance with existing agricultural trade regulations and seeking to create a more level playing field for domestic producers.
NAMBoard Chief Executive Officer Bhekizwe Maziya said the 24% charge is not a new levy. Existing legislation provides for levies ranging from 24% to 36% on imported edible oils, with NAMBoard opting to enforce the minimum rate.
The enforcement follows concerns over the classification of imported edible oils under different Harmonised System (HS) codes. NAMBoard said some importers had been declaring products under codes that did not attract the levy, creating loopholes that allowed certain edible oils to enter the country without the applicable charge.
From September, the board intends to ensure that edible oils covered by the legislation are correctly classified and that the appropriate levy is paid. The measure will affect importers and retailers bringing various edible-oil brands into the Eswatini market.
NAMBoard said the objective is not to prohibit imports or restrict consumer choice. Imported brands will continue to be allowed into the country, but they will be subject to the applicable levy. The policy is instead aimed at ensuring that imported products compete on a more equal basis with locally manufactured edible oils.
Eswatini already has domestic processing capacity. Eswatini Oil Mill Industries (SOMI) processes locally grown sunflower and soybeans into refined cooking oil and other products. NAMBoard says the facility has invested substantially in processing capacity and is capable of producing more than the domestic market requires, with some products also exported.
The policy therefore forms part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic agricultural value chains by creating markets for locally produced oilseeds while supporting local processing.
NBF Insight
Eswatini's move highlights the delicate balance between protecting domestic agro-processing and keeping consumer choice open.
For local oil producers, closing import-classification loopholes could improve competitiveness and create stronger demand for domestically grown sunflower and soybeans. For consumers, however, higher import costs could eventually feed into retail prices.
The bigger opportunity is ensuring that trade protection translates into more local oilseed production, stronger processing capacity and greater agricultural value retained within Eswatini.
