Harare, (New Ziana) – Cabinet has approved the 2025/2026 Summer Crops Marketing Update and the 2026 Winter Crops Production Plan, with the government reporting encouraging progress in grain deliveries, winter wheat planting and the marketing of key cash crops.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Zhemu Soda, said the update was presented to Cabinet by the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Dr Anxious Masuka.
Soda said the total grain stocks held by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) stood at 169 946 metric tons as of Wednesday last week, comprising maize, traditional grains and wheat, adding the government had also put in place measures to ensure farmers and service providers receive their payments on time.
He said grain marketing arrangements would cater for five categories of farmers, namely those supported under the Presidential Pfumvudza/Intwasa program, self-financed farmers, farmers financed through the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS) by the AFC (formerly Agricultural Finance Corporation) and CBZ, those financed by private contractors, and ARDA-supported farmers.
Soda said the GMB had already received 40 693.28 metric tons of grain from ARDA during the current marketing season, while substantial volumes had also been delivered by communal farmers for the Strategic Grain Reserve.
“GMB also plans to aggregate grain from farmers through its 1 804 collection points and 89 depots and store grain on behalf of clients, thereby providing a convenient and cost-effective solution,” he said.
He added that the GMB would introduce an “In-Transit Grain Storage Facility” aimed at improving the grain import logistics and strengthening supply chains.
On tobacco, he said marketing figures showed increased volumes despite lower average prices.
“A total of 330.6 million kilograms of tobacco has been sold at an average price of US$2.50 per kilogram. This represents an 11 percent increase in volume compared to the previous season, although the average price declined by 25 percent from US$3.36 per kilogram recorded in 2025,” he said, noting that auction tobacco prices had begun recovering after periods of volatility earlier in the season.
“Average auction prices increased from around US$1.60 per kilogram at the start of the season to approximately US$2.54 per kilogram by selling day 71, reflecting improved market performance in recent weeks,” said Hon. Soda.
The cotton sector also recorded significant growth, with 5 079 907 kilograms marketed by last Thursday, compared to just 310 625 kilograms during the same period last year.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe has exceeded its winter wheat planting target, reinforcing prospects for another strong harvest.
“Regarding winter wheat production, a total of 128 459 hectares has been planted, surpassing the target of 125 000 hectares by three percent,” Soda said, adding that ARDA had planted 59 880 hectares, representing 92 percent of its target.
The government is also targeting 6 500 hectares under barley and 9 000 hectares under Irish potatoes, with expected potato production of 243 850 metric tons.
The latest figures underscore the continued drive by the government to strengthen food security, boost strategic grain reserves and sustain growth across key agricultural value chains.
New Ziana
