Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe government has approved the 2024/25 Summer Crop Marketing and the 2025 Winter Production Plan under the Food and Nutrition Security Thematic Area of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), with latest assessments confirming that the country has adequate grain at the national level.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, made the announcement during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday.
He said the Second Round of Crops, Livestock, and Fisheries Assessment carried out on 12 April this year confirmed that Zimbabwe’s grain stocks are secure.
“As at 18 September 2025, a total of 860 804 metric tons of maize, soyabeans, sorghum, wheat and sunflower had been sold formally, although a significant proportion continues to be marketed informally.
“The formal grain and oilseed intake is 437 percent higher than what was recorded during the same period last year. The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) alone has registered an intake 263.83 percent above last year’s figures,” he said, adding the government has instituted interim measures to ensure millers can access grain countrywide.
Currently, the Strategic Grain Reserve holds 139 317 metric tons of stock and in line with the standing policy introduced in August 2020, millers are required to secure at least 40 percent of their raw material requirements by contracting farmers, a move designed to strengthen value chain financing and promote food security.
Cotton marketing has also recorded a sharp rise, with 28.7 million kilograms sold to 6 contractors since the marketing season opened on 24 July this year, reflecting an increase of 108 percent compared to the same time last year.
Tobacco has equally registered strong growth, with sales reaching a record 354.8 million kilograms as of Thursday last week, up from 231.8 million kilograms sold during the same period in 2024, and translating to an increase of 53.08 percent.
“Tobacco seed sales are eleven percent higher than last year, which is promising for meeting the 2025–26 target of 360 million kilograms,” said Dr Muswere, further noting that the area under irrigated tobacco had expanded by 60 percent compared to the 2024 record.
Turning to winter crops, the government’s Winter Cereals Plan has set a target of 135 500 hectares: 120 000 hectares for wheat, 6 500 hectares for barley, and 9 000 hectares for potatoes.
Expected yields include 600 000 metric tons of wheat, 39 000 metric tons of barley and 243 000 metric tons of potatoes. To date, 2 303 metric tons of wheat have been harvested from 426 hectares at an average yield of 5 metric tons per hectare.
Meanwhile, Dr Muswere assured farmers that migratory pest control and surveillance remains active in all provinces.
“Government reassures farmers that there is enough manpower, vehicles, sprayers and chemicals to respond swiftly to any outbreak,” he said.
The positive performance of grain, cotton, and tobacco marketing, alongside the Winter Cereals Plan, is expected to anchor Zimbabwe’s food and nutrition security going into 2026.
New Ziana
