Zimbabwe is expecting a strategic grain surplus of between 550 945 and 964 945 metric tonnes following strong performance across major agricultural commodities during the 2025/2026 season.
Speaking during yesterday’s Post Cabinet Briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, said the projected surplus was based on different national consumption rates.
“Based on the Second Round of Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report, the country is expecting a surplus strategic grain reserve ranging between 550 945 metric tonnes and 964 945 metric tonnes, at consumption rates of 10 kilogrammes per person per month and 7 kilogrammes per person per month, respectively.
“Government stocks held by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) stood at 252 177 tonnes, as at August 19, while deliveries during the 2025/2026 season were 126% above those recorded in the 2024/2025 season. Mashonaland West Province accounted for 50.1% of the intake,” he said.
He said the growth in maize production reflected improvements in both productivity and hectarage, indicating that interventions under the Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 were beginning to deliver results.
“The total maize area planted increased from 1 813 974 hectares in 2025 to 1 963 292 hectares in 2026, representing an 8.2% increase, while the average national total production increased from 2 293 556 metric tonnes to 2 685 021 metric tonnes, reflecting a growth of 17.1%,” he said.
Dr Soda said farmers had also been paid in full for the 2024/2025 marketing season, with measures in place to ensure timely payments during the current season.
Tobacco production remained strong, with 358.4 million kilogrammes sold by August 18 at an average price of US$2.49 per kilogramme, while exports had reached 138.25 million kilogrammes valued at US$791.85 million.
“Tobacco exports remain firm, with cumulative tobacco exports as at 19th August, 2026 reaching 138.25 million kilogrammes valued at US$791.85 million at an average export price of US$5.73 per kilogramme.
While winter crop production was also progressing well, with planted wheat area reaching 106% of target, while 7 013 hectares had been planted to barley. Irish potato production was expected to reach 243 850 tonnes from 9 000 hectares,” Minister Zhemu noted
The latest performance builds on Government’s efforts to strengthen food security through climate-resilient agriculture, improved productivity, expanded production and better agricultural marketing systems.
