Harare, (New Ziana) -Maize deliveries in the current marketing season to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) have surged, with the Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) reporting a sharp increase in sales between April 1 and July 24, as the board continues to strengthen its position as farmers’ preferred grain buyer.
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 bean at US$583.01 per metric tonne, and sunflower at US$670.46 per metric tonne, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring a viable return for farmers.
According to the latest AMA weekly market report, maize deliveries rose by 106 percent to 312 717 tonnes, up from 152 047 tonnes recorded during the same period last year. The report attributes the increase to improved production and stronger participation by farmers in formal grain markets.
The GMB recorded one of the strongest gains in maize procurement, with its intake increasing by 219 percent from 23,631 tonnes to 75 380 tonnes in the period under review. The Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX) also registered significant growth, with purchases rising 224 percent from 7 307 tonnes to 23 660 tonnes, while other buyers procured 213 677 tonnes, representing a 76 percent increase from 121 109 tonnes during the corresponding period last year.
Deliveries of other strategic crops also recorded notable gains. Soya bean deliveries increased by 58 percent to 45 744 tonnes from 28 924 tonnes, while sorghum intake rose 15 percent to 31 951 tonnes from 27 804 tonnes. In contrast, sunflower deliveries declined by eight percent to 5 181 tonnes, compared to 5 631 tonnes recorded during the same period last year.
GMB chief executive officer, Edison Badarai, said the board had become the preferred buyer by offering competitive prices and ensuring farmers receive their payments promptly.
“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.
“Farmers are encouraged to make use of the 89 depots, the proximity of 1,804 ward-based buying points and transport logistics offered to deliver grain as GMB makes timely payments,” he said.
Since the opening of the marketing season 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. This brings total payments made to farmers to US$25.2 million and ZiG292 million.
“We have cleared everything. We encourage our farmers to continue delivering to GMB with the best price and we are paying within five days,” Badarai said.
New Ziana
