Zimbabwe projects cereal surplus

Zimbabwe is projected to record a cereal surplus of about 456,937 tonnes by May 2026, according to the 2024 - 25 Post-Harvest Survey Report, jointly compiled by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.

The report shows that while cereal output fell short of earlier projections, the country's overall food security outlook remains stable. Zimbabwe will require around 386,000 tonnes of cereals for human consumption and 400,000 tonnes for livestock feed between September 2025 and May 2026.

Total cereal production for the 2024–25 agricultural season stood at 2.24 million metric tonnes, down from the 2.93 million tonnes projected under the April 2025 CLAFA-2 assessment.

"The survey results revealed that the total cereal production reached 2,242,937 metric tonnes, comprising 1,819,819 tonnes of maize, 288,344 tonnes of sorghum, 111,399 tonnes of pearl millet and 23,376 tonnes of finger millet," the report stated.

During the survey period, about 1.06 million tonnes of maize were recorded in stock, representing 58.5% of total maize production. Between April and September 2025, maize purchases by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX), and other buyers amounted to 774,927 tonnes.

Between April and August 2025, approximately 279,448 tonnes of maize were consumed, with the remainder attributed to sales and post-harvest losses. The maize currently in stock is expected to meet national needs up to May 2026, providing a cushion against potential food shortages.

The report also highlighted that livestock conditions remained stable across most provinces, with 73% of cattle-owning households describing their animals as being in fair condition and 25.3% rating them as good. It noted that trekking distances to water sources averaged 3km, and that natural veld and crop residues were the main feed sources.

Among its recommendations, the report urged the ministry to augment livestock feed supplies by permitting private sector grain imports while simultaneously building the Strategic Grain Reserve from local production. It also called for increased promotion of traditional grains, enhanced research and development, and greater investment in irrigation infrastructure.

Currently, only 217,000 hectares of irrigable land are operational, against a national target of 496,000 hectares. The report encouraged private sector participation to help bridge this gap.

To curb post-harvest losses, the survey emphasised the need for modern storage technologies such as hermetic bags and metal silos, which can help preserve grain quality and prevent pest damage. It also stressed the importance of improving road networks to enhance market access and reduce spoilage during transportation.

Additionally, the report underscored the need for climate-proofing agriculture through Pfumvudza/Intwasa and expanded irrigation development to mitigate drought risks.

Looking ahead, the survey urged a mindset shift in farming, promoting agriculture as a business at all levels - from smallholder to commercial operations. It called for further training of farmers, Agritex advisers, and value chain actors to improve efficiency, competitiveness, and resilience within the sector.