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Zimbabwe's food security strengthens
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Zimbabwe's food security situation improved significantly in July 2025, driven by an above-average harvest, a stable local currency, and expanded resilience programmes, the World Food Programme (WFP) has revealed in its latest Markets Monitoring Report.
The report highlighted that maize meal was available in 97% of markets nationwide, with staple food prices stabilising or falling compared to last year. This comes after a difficult 2024 season, when an El Niño-induced drought severely hit southern districts such as Beitbridge and Mwenezi.
"Signs of resilience and adaptation are emerging," WFP said, pointing to government and partner interventions such as borehole drilling and drought mitigation centres, which helped safeguard livestock in affected areas. Climate-smart livestock breeding, intensified vaccination campaigns, and decentralised veterinary services have also bolstered recovery in Matabeleland.
In Mashonaland West and Central, households reported improved food access thanks to strong maize and cotton yields. At major markets like Mbare Musika in Harare and Kudzanai in Gweru, maize grain prices were 30–40% lower than in July 2024.
Village business units (VBUs), many run by women and youth, were singled out for transforming rural livelihoods. Powered by solar irrigation, VBUs are producing vegetables and winter maize for sale in local supermarkets and markets, creating jobs while improving nutrition. Winter wheat production was also reported as an area of progress.
Remittances remain an important support mechanism, with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe recording an 8.4% rise in diaspora inflows in the first half of 2025.
On the economic front, consumer prices rose 1.6% month-on-month in July, up from 0.3% in June. Annual inflation stood at 95.8% in July, slightly higher than previous months, while the Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) currency remained relatively stable, trading at ZiG26.79 per USD officially and around ZiG37 on the parallel market.
The cost of the Minimum Expenditure Food Basket fell to US$21.13 in July, 4% lower than the previous month, offering some relief to vulnerable households.
Globally, the Food and Agriculture Organisation's Food Price Index rose by 1.6% in July, with higher meat and vegetable oil prices offsetting declines in cereals, dairy and sugar.
WFP concluded that while challenges remain, Zimbabwe's improved harvests, strengthened resilience initiatives, and stable remittance flows are helping communities recover and transition from last year's drought.
The report highlighted that maize meal was available in 97% of markets nationwide, with staple food prices stabilising or falling compared to last year. This comes after a difficult 2024 season, when an El Niño-induced drought severely hit southern districts such as Beitbridge and Mwenezi.
"Signs of resilience and adaptation are emerging," WFP said, pointing to government and partner interventions such as borehole drilling and drought mitigation centres, which helped safeguard livestock in affected areas. Climate-smart livestock breeding, intensified vaccination campaigns, and decentralised veterinary services have also bolstered recovery in Matabeleland.
In Mashonaland West and Central, households reported improved food access thanks to strong maize and cotton yields. At major markets like Mbare Musika in Harare and Kudzanai in Gweru, maize grain prices were 30–40% lower than in July 2024.
Village business units (VBUs), many run by women and youth, were singled out for transforming rural livelihoods. Powered by solar irrigation, VBUs are producing vegetables and winter maize for sale in local supermarkets and markets, creating jobs while improving nutrition. Winter wheat production was also reported as an area of progress.
Remittances remain an important support mechanism, with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe recording an 8.4% rise in diaspora inflows in the first half of 2025.
On the economic front, consumer prices rose 1.6% month-on-month in July, up from 0.3% in June. Annual inflation stood at 95.8% in July, slightly higher than previous months, while the Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) currency remained relatively stable, trading at ZiG26.79 per USD officially and around ZiG37 on the parallel market.
The cost of the Minimum Expenditure Food Basket fell to US$21.13 in July, 4% lower than the previous month, offering some relief to vulnerable households.
Globally, the Food and Agriculture Organisation's Food Price Index rose by 1.6% in July, with higher meat and vegetable oil prices offsetting declines in cereals, dairy and sugar.
WFP concluded that while challenges remain, Zimbabwe's improved harvests, strengthened resilience initiatives, and stable remittance flows are helping communities recover and transition from last year's drought.
Source - Newsday
