Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe is on course to record a surplus in its Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) of between 550 945 metric tons and 964 945 metric tons, depending on national consumption levels, the government said on Tuesday.
Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Zhemu Soda, said Cabinet had approved an update on the 2025/26 Summer Crops Marketing and 2026 Winter Crops Production Plan, which the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Dr Anxious Masuka presented.
Soda said the latest update, based on the Second Round Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report, showed that Government grain stocks held by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) stood at 194 142 metric tons as of July 1 this year.
The GMB is also holding 67 929.59 metric tons of third-party grain stocks following the commissioning of AI-powered silos, which have expanded its capacity to offer commercial storage services directly and through the Warehouse Receipt System.
“To date, a total of 1 963 292 hectares, 552 290 hectares and 56 562 hectares of maize, sorghum and soyabeans respectively, has been harvested, with respective production of 2 683 907 metric tons, 338 785 metric tons and 119 067 metric tons.
“As at 1st July, 2026, a total of 260 444 metric tons of crops comprising maize, soya bean, sorghum and sunflower had been formally marketed, compared to the 148 134 metric tons marketed at the same time in 2025, translating to a 76 percent increase in the marketed crops. The GMB continues to make efforts to ensure timely payments for deliveries,” he added.
Soda also said 346.2 million kilograms of tobacco had been sold by July 1 at an average price of US$2.50 per kilogram, representing a 6 percent increase in sales volumes but a 25 percent decline in the average price compared to the previous marketing season.
Despite the lower average price, tobacco exports remained strong, with cumulative exports reaching 112 million kilograms valued at US$683 million as of July 1 at an average export price of US$6.09 per kilogram.
On winter cropping, Soda said wheat production is expected to surpass this season’s target after 133 048 hectares were planted, exceeding the planned 125 000 hectares by 6 percent.
He added that barley production remains on course to meet demand from the brewing industry, with 7 013 hectares planted during the current season.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe expects to produce 243 850 metric tons of Irish potatoes from the 9 000 hectares planted this season.
So far, 100 055 metric tons have been harvested from 3 450 hectares, with an average yield of 29 metric tons per hectare, compared to 26 metric tons per hectare recorded during the 2025 season.
New Ziana
