ZIMBABWE FOOD SECURITY: Maize Harvest Projected to Rise as Government Moves to Stabilize Grain Supplies

HARARE — Zimbabwe is bracing for a boost in its agricultural output for the 2025/26 season, with the government projecting a 2% increase in maize production to 2.35 million tonnes, up from 2.29 million tonnes recorded last season. The announcement was made by the Minister of Agriculture, Anxious Masuka, during a post-Cabinet update, signaling a broader recovery in cereal output, including traditional grains, rice, sorghum, and wheat that officials believe will place the nation on a much stronger footing regarding food security.

While national production figures are trending upward, Minister Masuka acknowledged that the country still faces uneven distribution.

"There will be pockets of deficit in some wards and districts," Masuka stated, explicitly identifying regions such as Beitbridge as areas that are unlikely to meet their annual grain requirements through local production alone.

To mitigate these potential shortfalls, the government has unveiled a strategic redistribution plan. This initiative will be supported by the current 150,000 tonnes of grain held in the Strategic Grain Reserve, which is managed by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB). This move aims to ensure that deficit regions are adequately supplied without disrupting national market stability.

A significant focus of the government’s agricultural strategy is the stabilization of food prices. Minister Masuka expressed optimism regarding the availability and cost of maize meal for consumers.

"We expect rational pricing from millers. There is no shortage, and maize meal should remain available and accessible," he said.

He added that the increased supply levels, coupled with proactive management, should provide downward pressure on prices over time, enhancing affordability for the average Zimbabwean household.

Beyond the summer maize harvest, the government is looking to secure the winter season as a critical buffer against climate-induced volatility. The target for winter wheat is 662,000 tonnes a figure that exceeds current national demand. This focus on agricultural expansion is bolstered by favorable water security infrastructure. Currently, national dam levels are reported to be at 93.4% capacity. This high water retention provides a critical safeguard for the country, particularly against adverse weather conditions, including potential disruptions from an El Niño event.

As the 2025/26 season progresses, the government’s focus remains on maintaining the grain reserve and ensuring that the logistical chains required to move surplus grain from high-producing areas to drought-prone regions remain efficient and responsive.

Zimbabwe maize production 2026