HARARE, Zimbabwe’s 2025/2026 agricultural season has delivered another major boost to the country’s food security ambitions, with Cabinet reporting record grain deliveries to the Grain Marketing Board, increased strategic grain reserves and a winter wheat programme that has surpassed its planting target.
The latest Cabinet update indicates that strategic grain stocks currently stand at 227 338 metric tonnes, comprising maize, traditional grains and wheat. Grain deliveries to the Grain Marketing Board are now 139 percent higher than those recorded during the same period last year, with the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority contributing nearly 90 percent of the deliveries.
The figures point to continued recovery within Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, where increased production is now translating into stronger national grain reserves and improved market supplies. They also reinforce Government’s strategy of combining enhanced production with strategic storage to cushion the country against future climate-related shocks.
The report shows that the total area planted under maize increased from 1.81 million hectares during the previous season to more than 1.96 million hectares in the 2025/2026 season. Overall maize production rose by 17.1 percent, from 2.29 million metric tonnes to 2.69 million metric tonnes, reflecting improved productivity across many farming areas.
Equally significant is the progress made under the 2026 winter wheat programme. Farmers have planted 65 585 hectares, exceeding the national target of 65 000 hectares. This achievement places Zimbabwe in a stronger position to sustain wheat self-sufficiency, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening national food security.
Cabinet also noted that payments to farmers continue to be processed, with more than US$19.4 million and ZiG135.2 million already paid for grain deliveries. While outstanding payments remain, continued disbursements are expected to improve farmer confidence and encourage sustained production in future seasons.
The Grain Marketing Board has also expanded its role beyond grain procurement. The introduction of Artificial Intelligence powered silos and commercial storage facilities has enabled the institution to safely manage over 70 000 metric tonnes of third-party grain stocks under the Warehouse Receipt System, creating new opportunities for private sector participation in agricultural marketing.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector continues to post strong export earnings. By 16 July, growers had sold 354 million kilogrammes of tobacco at an average price of US$2.49 per kilogramme. Exports had reached 121.8 million kilogrammes, generating US$723.5 million in foreign currency at an average export price of US$5.94 per kilogramme.
The agricultural performance outlined in the Cabinet report demonstrates that Zimbabwe’s policy focus is gradually shifting beyond achieving food security towards building commercially viable value chains capable of supporting industrial growth and export expansion. Increased production, modern storage infrastructure and improved market systems are becoming central pillars of this transition.
However, long-term sustainability will depend on continued investment in irrigation, mechanisation, timely payments to farmers and wider private sector participation. Climate change remains a significant threat to agricultural productivity, making resilient farming systems and efficient water management increasingly important.
With another successful production season and a winter wheat crop already exceeding expectations, Zimbabwe appears to be strengthening its position as one of the region’s leading agricultural producers, while advancing its broader Vision 2030 objective of building an upper middle-income economy through agriculture-led growth.
