Zimbabwe families skip meals as food stocks dwindle

A growing number of Zimbabwean families are being forced to skip meals as food supplies run dry and living costs surge, according to a new report by the World Food Programme (WFP).

The agency's February 2026 food security and markets monitoring report paints a stark picture of worsening hunger, particularly in rural communities already grappling with climate shocks and economic strain.

While the 2025/2026 farming season initially showed promise—with maize plantings reaching nearly 1.9 million hectares—conditions deteriorated sharply in February due to a prolonged mid-season dry spell.

The WFP said the lack of rainfall caused widespread moisture stress, weakening crops across key agricultural regions. Districts such as Chipinge, Chiredzi and Beitbridge were among the hardest hit, given their historical vulnerability to drought.

"Seasonal conditions in February 2026 were unfavourable," the report noted, warning that crop performance has been significantly compromised.

As a result, many households have already exhausted their cereal stocks and are increasingly relying on early "green harvests" to survive.

However, inconsistent food supplies in rural markets and rising prices in nearby urban centres are compounding the crisis.

"Most households had exhausted cereal stocks and increasingly relied on green harvests," the WFP said, adding that families are now resorting to coping mechanisms such as reducing meal frequency, borrowing food, or selling livestock.

The livestock sector is also under pressure, with more than 1,000 animal deaths recorded in February alone. Provinces such as Mashonaland East and Matabeleland North reported the highest fatalities, largely due to tick-borne diseases.

Outbreaks of lumpy skin disease have been confirmed in districts including Bubi, Umguza and Insiza, while persistent vaccine shortages have left Foot and Mouth disease largely unchecked in some areas.

These challenges are limiting livestock trade and further undermining rural livelihoods.

Zimbabwe's food insecurity is being driven by a pattern of recurring droughts over the past decade. The devastating 2023/2024 season, intensified by El Niño, left an estimated six million people in need of food assistance.

Although some farmers have shifted to drought-resistant crops such as sorghum and millet, erratic rainfall continues to undermine these adaptation efforts.

The situation is further aggravated by rising global oil prices, which are pushing up transport and food costs, placing additional pressure on already struggling households.

"Higher fuel prices are expected to affect several sectors, particularly transport and fuel-dependent households," the report warned.

Agricultural experts are now urging increased investment in irrigation systems, water harvesting, and climate-smart farming techniques to reduce reliance on unpredictable rainfall.

Without decisive intervention, the WFP warns that Zimbabwe's food insecurity could worsen, leaving millions at risk and deepening the country's humanitarian challenges.