The impact of Non-Tariff Barriers on Agricultural Trade in Zimbabwe

Agriculture remains the mainstay of most developing countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa. With successful negotiations on the elimination and reduction of tariffs, non- tariff barriers to trade (NTBs) have become an emerging and contentious issue as far as market access is concerned on the international trade arena. NTBs are common in agricultural trade and are more likely to impede trade as tariffs go down; it has become necessary to assess their effects on trade. This research made an assessment on the impacts that non-tariff barriers to trade have on Zimbabwe's agricultural trade with particular focus on the trade in cereals which are an important component of food security in the country. The research used both primary and secondary data. Key informant interviews were used to collect primary data through the administration of two different questionnaires. The data collected included challenges faced by traders when importing/exporting agricultural goods with reference to cereal crops, policies and regulations governing agricultural trade in Zimbabwe, cost of administrative procedures, number of documentations, time taken to trade and entry points often used.