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Maize deliveries to GMB more than double
28 Jul 2026 at 11:04hrs |
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Maize deliveries to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) have more than doubled during the current marketing season, with the Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) attributing the sharp increase to improved harvests and growing farmer confidence in formal grain markets.
According to the latest AMA weekly market report, maize deliveries between April 1 and July 24 reached 312,717 tonnes, representing a 106 percent increase from the 152,047 tonnes delivered during the same period last year.
The Government recently approved producer prices for the 2025/2026 summer cropping season, setting maize and traditional grains at US$364.75 per metric tonne, soya beans at US$583.01 per metric tonne, and sunflower at US$670.46 per metric tonne, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring profitable returns for farmers.
The GMB recorded one of the strongest performances among grain buyers, with maize procurement rising by 219 percent to 75,380 tonnes, compared to 23,631 tonnes during the corresponding period last year.
The Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX) also registered substantial growth, increasing maize purchases by 224 percent from 7,307 tonnes to 23,660 tonnes.
Other buyers collectively procured 213,677 tonnes, a 76 percent increase from 121,109 tonnes recorded over the same period last year.
The AMA said the increase in grain deliveries reflects improved agricultural production and greater participation by farmers in structured marketing systems.
Deliveries of other strategic crops also recorded positive growth. Soya bean deliveries rose by 58 percent to 45,744 tonnes, up from 28,924 tonnes last year, while sorghum deliveries increased by 15 percent to 31,951 tonnes, compared to 27,804 tonnes during the same period.
Sunflower deliveries, however, declined by eight percent to 5,181 tonnes, down from 5,631 tonnes recorded a year earlier.
GMB chief executive officer Edison Badarai said the board had strengthened its position as the preferred grain buyer by offering competitive producer prices and ensuring prompt payment to farmers.
"GMB prices are above the market as they reinforce confidence and guarantee farmers to mobilise input resources for the next cropping season, underscoring Government's steadfast commitment to agriculture," he said.
Badarai encouraged farmers to utilise the GMB's extensive buying network, which comprises 89 depots and 1,804 ward-based buying points, as well as transport logistics provided to facilitate grain deliveries.
Since the marketing season opened on April 1, the GMB has paid farmers US$20 million and ZiG230 million for grain deliveries, while also settling outstanding obligations amounting to US$5.2 million and ZiG62 million.
In total, the board has disbursed US$25.2 million and ZiG292 million to farmers.
"We have cleared everything. We encourage our farmers to continue delivering to GMB with the best price and we are paying within five days," said Badarai.
According to the latest AMA weekly market report, maize deliveries between April 1 and July 24 reached 312,717 tonnes, representing a 106 percent increase from the 152,047 tonnes delivered during the same period last year.
The Government recently approved producer prices for the 2025/2026 summer cropping season, setting maize and traditional grains at US$364.75 per metric tonne, soya beans at US$583.01 per metric tonne, and sunflower at US$670.46 per metric tonne, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring profitable returns for farmers.
The GMB recorded one of the strongest performances among grain buyers, with maize procurement rising by 219 percent to 75,380 tonnes, compared to 23,631 tonnes during the corresponding period last year.
The Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX) also registered substantial growth, increasing maize purchases by 224 percent from 7,307 tonnes to 23,660 tonnes.
Other buyers collectively procured 213,677 tonnes, a 76 percent increase from 121,109 tonnes recorded over the same period last year.
The AMA said the increase in grain deliveries reflects improved agricultural production and greater participation by farmers in structured marketing systems.
Sunflower deliveries, however, declined by eight percent to 5,181 tonnes, down from 5,631 tonnes recorded a year earlier.
GMB chief executive officer Edison Badarai said the board had strengthened its position as the preferred grain buyer by offering competitive producer prices and ensuring prompt payment to farmers.
"GMB prices are above the market as they reinforce confidence and guarantee farmers to mobilise input resources for the next cropping season, underscoring Government's steadfast commitment to agriculture," he said.
Badarai encouraged farmers to utilise the GMB's extensive buying network, which comprises 89 depots and 1,804 ward-based buying points, as well as transport logistics provided to facilitate grain deliveries.
Since the marketing season opened on April 1, the GMB has paid farmers US$20 million and ZiG230 million for grain deliveries, while also settling outstanding obligations amounting to US$5.2 million and ZiG62 million.
In total, the board has disbursed US$25.2 million and ZiG292 million to farmers.
"We have cleared everything. We encourage our farmers to continue delivering to GMB with the best price and we are paying within five days," said Badarai.
Source - NewZiana
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