Zimbabwe is poised to significantly narrow its fertiliser import gap as Dorowa Minerals phosphate plant nears completion.
In a statement, yesterday, the Zimbabwe Economic Review said the project is expected to bolster local production of key inputs for agriculture.
“Dorowa Minerals phosphate plant is now 95% complete and set for commissioning next month, with a targeted output of 100,000 tonnes of phosphate concentrate.
“The development is expected to ease longstanding raw material shortages affecting domestic fertiliser manufacturers,” said the Zimbabwe Economic Review
The publication emphasised the scale of the impact.
“Output will support 300,000 tonnes of basal fertiliser (compound fertilisers) against a 450,000-tonne requirement.
This means the project will cover a significant share of the country’s basal fertiliser needs, which are critical during the planting season,” it said.
Zimbabwe Economic Review also highlighted the broader national demand.
“Zimbabwe’s total fertiliser demand is 1.4 million tonnes, including ammonium nitrate (top dressing) and single super phosphate (SSP).
“The Dorowa project is therefore expected to play a central role in reducing reliance on imports while strengthening supply chains for both basal and related fertiliser products,” the publication said
Beyond immediate fertiliser output, the project is also key to reviving downstream industrial capacity.
“Zimphos sulphuric acid plant revival depends on Dorowa feedstock.
Timelines are constrained by specialised engineering and long procurement cycles,” the publication added
The Dorowa initiative comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency and stabilise input supplies for farmers.
Fertiliser availability remains a cornerstone of productivity, particularly under Government-backed programmes aimed at boosting yields and ensuring national food security.
