Zimbabwe is set to record a significant strategic grain surplus following a successful 2025/2026 summer cropping season, with Government stocks and projected harvests placing the country on a firm footing to consolidate food security gains.
Cabinet yesterday noted and approved an update on the 2025/2026 Summer Crops Marketing and 2026 Winter Production Plan presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka.
Briefing journalists after the Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Soda Zhemu said the country was expecting a surplus strategic grain reserve of between 550 945 metric tonnes and 964 945 metric tonnes based on findings from the Second Round Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report.
“The positive performance of the agricultural sector continues to strengthen national food security and reflects the impact of Government interventions aimed at increasing production and productivity,” said Dr Zhemu.
Government stocks held by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) stood at 156 603 metric tonnes as of 3 June 2026.
Dr Zhemu said GMB was also holding 70 865.60 metric tonnes of third-party grain stocks following the completion of AI-powered silos and the expansion of commercial storage services through the Warehouse Receipt System.
The country’s summer cropping season delivered strong yields across major crops.A total of 1 928 505 hectares under maize has been harvested, producing 2 824 110 metric tonnes, while 528 076 hectares of sorghum yielded 323 002 metric tonnes.Soyabean production reached 119 067 metric tonnes from 56 562 hectares harvested.
Dr Zhemu said crop deliveries to formal markets had also increased significantly.
“As at June 3, 2026, a total of 127 214 metric tonnes of crops comprising maize, soyabean, sorghum and sunflower had been formally marketed compared to 78 265 metric tonnes during the same period in 2025, representing a 63 percent increase,” he said.
“The increase in marketed crops is indicative of growing confidence by farmers in formal marketing systems and ongoing support measures being implemented by Government.”
On producer payments, GMB had settled 100 percent of its United States dollar obligations and 82.73 percent of ZiG payments by May 20, 2026.Outstanding ZiG payments amount to ZiG50,2 million, while transporters are owed ZiG192 million dating back to the 2025 season.
The tobacco sector continues to record growth, with 309.795 million kilogrammes sold to date at an average price of US$2.51 per kilogramme.While volumes increased by 14 percent compared to the previous season, average prices declined by 25 percent.
Tobacco exports remain firm, with cumulative exports reaching 102.50 million kilogrammes valued at US$642.61 million as of June 4, 2026.
“The performance recorded across key agricultural value chains demonstrates the resilience of the sector and the effectiveness of programmes designed to boost productivity and improve farmer incomes,” said Dr Zhemu.
Meanwhile, sesame marketing has commenced, with producer prices ranging from US$0.60 to US$1 per kilogramme. To date, 17 buyers have been registered.The Agricultural Marketing Authority recently confiscated 13 000 kilogrammes of sesame in Chiredzi and Mbire during operations aimed at curbing smuggling of the crop.
Government is also pursuing the Zimbabwe-China sesame protocol to facilitate direct exports to the Asian giant.
