Source: ‘Adequate fertiliser for winter cropping’ – herald
Theseus Shambare and Precious Manomano
THE Government has assured farmers that the country has adequate fertiliser stocks for the 2026 winter cropping season, easing concerns over possible supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Professor Obert Jiri said most inputs required for winter wheat production are already in the country, following early planning and procurement.
“The good thing is that planning for winter planting happens in summer. So, most of our inputs . . . we have enough in the country for fertilisers, which we import the bulk of them,” said Prof Jiri.
“For the Presidential Input Support Programme, we have enough of our fertiliser already with the farmers at the various Grain Marketing Board depots. For the other programmes, the commercial programmes, we also have most of those inputs already in the country for our winter wheat.”
Zimbabwe imported about US$331,08 million worth of fertilisers in 2024, mainly for maize and wheat production.
Most supplies come from the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Southern Africa, exposing the sector to global price shocks and shipping disruptions.
The United States and Israel’s war of aggression against Iran has heightened fears of supply disruptions, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route through which a significant share of the world’s fertiliser inputs and raw materials is transported.
Any closure or restriction of the strait disrupts shipping schedules, increases freight costs and delays deliveries of key inputs such as ammonia and urea, which are essential for fertiliser production.
For import-dependent countries like Zimbabwe, this translates into supply uncertainty and upward pressure on prices.
Prof Jiri, however, said the ongoing diplomatic engagements between Washington and Tehran have helped stabilise the situation.
“We have seen the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Now they are engaged in diplomatic talks and that should surely call for our business partners to exercise restraint,” he said.
While availability is assured, the authorities are concerned about potential price increases driven by what is known as replacement costs — a practice where suppliers price current stock based on anticipated higher future replacement costs rather than the actual cost at which the stock was acquired.
This often leads to premature price hikes, even when existing supplies were secured at lower prices.
“The concerns, of course, are the perceived shortages that might happen in the future, causing our businesspeople to want to do replacement costing, which we are really negotiating with them,” said Prof Jiri.
“We do anticipate that during the winter season, we should not see any major upsets in terms of prices of fertilisers. Availability is certainly guaranteed, but the pricing is of concern.”
The Government is engaging suppliers to discourage speculative pricing, especially as global tensions show signs of easing.
Beyond the current season, the Government is exploring alternative fertiliser sources to reduce reliance on imports.
“But we also need to understand that the synthetic fertilisers that we import from the Middle East are not the only source,” said Prof Jiri.
“We are busy exploring other alternatives . . . including liquid and foliar fertilisers, which our farmers are not ordinarily using.”
In the medium to long term, the Government is also pushing to localise fertiliser production as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
“We are looking at localising the fertiliser production and fertiliser value chain . . . The hope is that in the long term, we should be able to produce all fertiliser that we use in this country,” he said.
The authorities say if the global situation stabilises, planning for the 2026/2027 summer cropping season, which begins during winter, will proceed without major disruptions.
Fertiliser availability for the winter cropping season is central to Zimbabwe’s food security.
Winter cropping in Zimbabwe is dominated by wheat, a strategic staple used to produce bread and other basic foods.
Unlike rain-fed summer crops, winter wheat is grown under irrigation and requires precise and adequate fertiliser application to achieve viable yields.
If fertiliser is readily available, farmers can apply the correct nutrient mix at the right stages, leading to higher yields and helping the country meet its wheat requirements.
Food secure
Zimbabwe recently declared itself food- sufficient in all basic staples after a highly successful 2025/2026 summer cropping season.
The rains were, however, largely variable.
Only a few districts will still require targeted assistance due to localised deficits.
Findings of the Second Round Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report (CLAFA 2) showed that most areas, particularly in the northern and western regions, are expected to maintain cereal stocks lasting more than 12 months — an indication of surplus at the national level.
However, the report also highlights disparities across regions, with several districts in the south and east projected to face cereal shortages, with stocks lasting as little as three to four months.
According to the assessment, Beitbridge, Buhera and Chivi will require immediate food assistance, while districts such as Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe, Mberengwa and Mutare are expected to need support from October, assuming no additional coping mechanisms are implemented.
The report further notes that most provinces are likely to require food assistance after 10 to 12 months.
In Mashonaland West, all districts are food-sufficient for the entire year, except Kariba, which may require assistance after 10 to 12 months.
Mashonaland Central is expected to see Rushinga and Shamva needing support within seven to nine months.
Mashonaland East presents a mixed outlook, with Seke, Goromonzi and Mudzi likely to require assistance within 10 to 12 months, while Marondera, Murewa, Mutoko, Hwedza and Chikomba are projected to remain stable beyond a year.
In Manicaland, Buhera is forecast to require assistance within zero to three months, Mutare within four to six months, while Chimanimani and Nyanga may need support after 10 to 12 months.
Chipinge, Makoni and Mutasa will remain food-sufficient for over a year.
Midlands province also reflects varying conditions, with Mberengwa likely to need assistance within four to six months, Gweru and Zvishavane within seven to nine months, while Kwekwe, Gokwe North and South, Shurugwi and Mvuma are expected to remain stable for more than 12 months.
In Masvingo province, Chivi is projected to require urgent support within three months, while Masvingo, Mwenezi and Bikita may need assistance within seven to nine months.
Zaka could face shortages within nine to 12 months, while Chiredzi and Gutu are expected to remain food-sufficient for longer periods.
Hwange in Matabeleland North is likely to require assistance within seven to nine months.
In Matabeleland South, Beitbridge faces immediate shortages, while Mangwe and Bulilima may need support within seven to nine months.
Matobo, Gwanda, Umzingwane and Insiza are expected to remain food secure for over a year.
The report indicates that cereal stocks held by farmers from the 2024/2025 season currently stand at 136 902 tonnes, with Manicaland holding 24 338 tonnes, Mashonaland East 25 039 tonnes, Midlands 21 916 tonnes, Mashonaland Central 18 941 tonnes, Mashonaland West 18 583 tonnes, Masvingo 19 525 tonnes, Matabeleland North 5 564 tonnes and Matabeleland South 2 996 tonnes.
At national level, total cereal production for the 2025/2026 season is projected at 2 739 712 tonnes, bringing total available cereals to 2 876 614 tonnes when combined with existing stocks.
Overall, the national cereal balance to March 2027, which includes strategic grain reserves held by the Grain Marketing Board and current production, indicates a projected surplus ranging between 550 945 tonnes and 964 945 tonnes, depending on consumption patterns.
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