Companhia Industrial da Matola, S.A. (“CIM”) became aware, through the media, of the statement issued by the Instituto de Cereais de Moçambique, IP (“ICM”) on 13 October 2026, which makes certain claims regarding CIM, namely: the indefinite suspension of its wheat and rice import operations; the alleged seizure of 3,300 tonnes of wheat, described as having been irregularly imported; and the existence of other proceedings under investigation relating to alleged imports without authorisation.
CIM rejects the legality of the indefinite suspension announced by ICM. The legal framework allegedly applicable establishes specific requirements for the suspension of activities and provides that any sanction must be preceded by a hearing of the alleged offender and the opportunity to exercise the right of defence.
In the present case, CIM has not been notified of any infringement proceedings that could justify such suspension, was not heard beforehand, and was not afforded the right to respond to the allegations. It is therefore legally inadmissible to impose a sanction of such seriousness without first informing CIM of the allegations against it and ensuring its corresponding right of defence.
It is also important to clarify that CIM, in exercise of the legal guarantees afforded by the Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique and other applicable laws in force in Mozambique as a State governed by the rule of law, duly instituted legal proceedings before the Administrative Court seeking a declaration of nullity of the provisions relied upon by ICM to impose what CIM considers to be an unlawful monopolistic regime for cereal imports. ICM has already been formally served/notified by the Administrative Court and is therefore legally bound by the effects of such service/notification and required to refrain from initiating or pursuing the administrative action under challenge against CIM. CIM therefore considers that ICM must conduct itself in accordance with the ongoing judicial proceedings and refrain from any intervention inconsistent with that legal position. In these circumstances, CIM considers the announced suspension to be legally unfounded and reserves the right to pursue the appropriate legal remedies to protect its rights and interests once it is formally notified of this purported suspension.
CIM rejects the characterisation of this operation as an “irregular import”. The import was submitted to the applicable customs procedures, and the Mozambique Customs Authorities expressly authorised the discharge of the 3,300 tonnes of wheat. The corresponding customs documentation was issued and the charges reflected in the import declaration were processed.
The dispute with ICM is of a different nature. CIM has challenged before the courts certain requirements of the so-called import mechanism, including charges associated with its implementation, as CIM considers their legal basis to be questionable and unlawful.
In particular, CIM challenges the levy of USD 16.00 (sixteen United States dollars) per imported tonne associated with participation in the said mechanism. CIM’s position is clear: it cannot be compelled to participate in a mechanism whose legality it is challenging before the courts when such participation effectively requires CIM to bear a charge that it likewise disputes.
This position is not intended to exempt CIM from its legal obligations. Rather, it seeks to ensure that any charge imposed on imports has a sufficient legal basis and does not unjustifiably contribute to increasing the cost of rice, wheat, flour and, ultimately, bread borne by Mozambican consumers.
In this context, CIM considers the intervention that occurred during the vessel’s discharge, aimed at making the operation conditional upon the presentation of additional ICM documentation, to have been legally unjustified, particularly as the matter is currently before the courts and ICM had already been served/notified in relation to the proceedings. That intervention resulted in additional costs and losses to the operation, in respect of which CIM reserves the right to seek appropriate compensation and accountability. The matter has also been reported to the relevant authorities.
CIM is unaware of the alleged proceedings under investigation referred to by ICM. To date, CIM has never been notified by any administrative or judicial authority of the commencement of such proceedings, nor has it been informed of the specific allegations supposedly made against it or given an opportunity to exercise its right of defence and respond to those allegations. CIM reiterates that its imports have followed the applicable legal procedures in Mozambique and are processed through the relevant authorities. CIM rejects any attempt to portray these operations as clandestine or as having been conducted outside the oversight of the authorities.
It is particularly serious that alleged infringements and proceedings should be publicly announced before CIM itself has been formally notified of their existence, informed of the allegations against it, and afforded an opportunity to respond.
CIM will not accept allegations that have not yet been subjected to due process and its right of response being publicly presented as established facts, and reserves the right to exercise all legal remedies available to it.
CIM reaffirms its commitment to compliance with the law, transparency in its operations and the protection of Mozambican consumers. The company will continue to exercise its rights before the relevant authorities and courts, while maintaining that no sanction should be imposed without due observance of the right to be heard and applicable legal requirements, and that no charge lacking a sufficient legal basis should be incorporated into import costs and consequently passed on to consumers through the prices of essential goods.
CIM Management