Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe has once again etched its name in the agricultural record books, achieving its highest-ever winter wheat output, and cementing its status as one of only two African countries that are wheat self-sufficient.
According to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka, the country has so far harvested 578 059 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat from 110 543 hectares, already surpassing last year’s record of 562 091 MT.
With an additional 12 023 hectares still to be harvested by the first week of November, the 2025 season promises yet another milestone in Zimbabwe’s agriculture success story.
“This production represents a 511 percent increase from 2019, when we produced only 94 685 MT,” said Dr. Masuka. “This remarkable growth is testament to the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, and to the commitment of our farmers and partners across the value chain.”
With the national annual wheat requirement estimated at around 360 000 MT, the current harvest means Zimbabwe has produced well above its domestic needs. The government is now exploring export markets within the region and beyond, transforming the country from an importer into a net exporter of the crop.
“There is, therefore, no need to import wheat,” Dr. Masuka said. However, he noted that some millers might continue to import small quantities of higher gluten wheat, which is not produced locally, to meet specific industrial and bread-making requirements.
He highlighted that the availability, accessibility, and affordability of wheat products remain central to the government’s Agriculture, Food Systems, and Rural Transformation Strategy.
To maintain stable supplies and pricing, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has recently distributed 6 518 MT of wheat to millers nationwide.
“This timely intervention has contributed significantly to the current stability of wheat product prices,” Dr. Masuka said. “Any registered miller under the Agricultural Marketing Authority Act can approach the government for assistance to ensure momentum in stabilizing supply and demand.”
Dr. Masuka extended heartfelt congratulations to the 16 362 farmers who participated in wheat production this year, acknowledging their resilience and dedication. He also commended all stakeholders—including government agencies, private sector partners, and development institutions—for embracing the inclusive “whole-of-sector” approach championed by the Second Republic.
The continued growth in wheat production underscores Zimbabwe’s steady march toward food self-sufficiency and economic resilience.
New Ziana
