Harare, (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe government has approved new incentive producer prices for key crops ahead of the 2025/26 summer cropping season, a move aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and ensuring national food security.
In a statement, Grain Marketing Board (GMB) chief executive officer, Edison Badarai, said the pricing structure for maize, traditional grains, soya bean, and sunflower was approved following extensive consultations with stakeholders across the agricultural sector.
‘The consultations involved farmers’ unions, agribusiness representatives, and policy experts, reflecting a coordinated effort to align producer viability with broader economic goals,” he said.
Under the new framework, maize and traditional grains will fetch US$364.75 per metric ton, while soya bean has been set at the same price.
Sunflower, which plays a critical role in the country’s edible oil value chain, will command a higher price of US$583.01 per metric ton, with an additional benchmark price listed at USD 670.46 per metric ton.
Badarai said the pricing model is designed to incentivize farmers to increase production, particularly of oilseed crops such as sunflower and soya bean, which are key to reducing import dependency.
The equal pricing of maize and traditional grains is also expected to encourage diversification into small grains, which are more resilient to climate variability.
Agricultural experts have welcomed the announcement, noting that timely price setting allows farmers to plan effectively for the upcoming season, including input procurement and land allocation.
However, some stakeholders emphasized the need for complementary support measures such as affordable inputs, access to financing, and reliable markets to fully realize the benefits of the pricing policy.
Badarai reiterated the commitment of the GMB to strengthen the agricultural sector, highlighting that predictable and competitive producer prices remain central to improving farmer incomes and sustaining rural livelihoods.
The 2025/26 summer season is expected to play a pivotal role in consolidating recent gains in agricultural output, particularly as the country continues to navigate climate challenges and global commodity market shifts.
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