Zimbabwe cuts maize imports by 34%

Zimbabwe has reduced maize imports by 34 percent during the 2025/26 agriculture season, as improved local production and Government's import-substitution measures continue to strengthen domestic food security.

According to the second round of the 2026 Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report (CLAFA-2), maize production increased by two percent, rising from 2.29 million tonnes in the 2024/25 season to 2.35 million tonnes in the 2025/26 season.

The increase follows measures introduced by the Government to revive agricultural production after the devastating effects of the 2024 El Niño-induced drought, which prompted authorities to allow duty-free grain imports to safeguard national food supplies.

Zimbabwe has continued to reduce its reliance on imported maize, building on the US$159 million saved in maize imports last year. The country has so far saved a further US$94 million this year.

Statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) show that the value of maize imports fell from US$277.451 million between January and July 2025 to US$183.598 million during the same period this year.

In volume terms, maize imports declined from 667 tonnes last year to 563 tonnes this year, while the average import price dropped by 22 percent from US$0.42 to US$0.33 per kilogramme.

The Government also introduced Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, the Agricultural Marketing Authority (Grain, Oilseed and Products) (Amendment) Regulations, to regulate grain and oilseed imports while promoting domestic production.

Under the regulations, grain buyers and agro-processors must source at least 40 percent of their grain requirements locally to qualify to import the remaining 60 percent.

The import levy on maize was also recently reduced from US$40 to US$15 per tonne for companies complying with the requirement to procure at least 40 percent of their maize locally.

Meanwhile, the Agricultural Marketing Authority's September 4 market update showed a sharp increase in maize purchases by grain buyers.

Total maize intake rose by 125 percent from 200,160 tonnes to 449,399 tonnes so far this year.

The Grain Marketing Board recorded the largest increase, with purchases rising by 338 percent from 33,037 tonnes to 144,584 tonnes, as farmers responded positively to improved and timely payments.

The Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange recorded a 117 percent increase in purchases, from 11,307 tonnes to 24,576 tonnes, while purchases by other private buyers rose by 80 percent from 155,816 tonnes to 280,240 tonnes.

White maize remains a strategic crop in Zimbabwe, particularly among smallholder farmers, and is the country's main staple food. It supports the livelihoods of more than three million people and provides an important source of raw materials for the manufacturing sector.