Source: Grain reserves hit massive surplus – herald
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE is building a strong cushion in its national food reserves, with Cabinet yesterday projecting a surplus strategic grain reserve of between 550 945 tonnes and 964 945 tonnes, according to the Second Round of the Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report.
The reserves, over and above normal consumption, will strongly moderate the damage of severe drought or other emergencies.
Speaking at the post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Skills Audit and Development Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the Government had noted with satisfaction that the food security outlook for the country was positive.
Cabinet noted and approved an update on the 2025-2026 Summer Crops Marketing and 2026 Winter Production Plan and Insights into Agricultural Impacts of El Nino from 1980 to 2024, presented by Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka.
“Currently, Government stocks held at the Grain Marketing Board as at 6 May 2026 stand at 155 210 tonnes comprising maize, 36 593 tonnes, white sorghum 1 614 tonnes, red sorghum 13 187 tonnes, pearl millet 1 074 tonnes, rapoko 1 195 tonnes and strategic grain wheat 102 740 tonnes.
“Additionally, GMB also holds a total of 62 165 tonnes, being third party grain stocks for off-take companies,” he said.
Dr Muswere said as at Monday, the GMB had settled over 95 percent of its obligations for grain purchases.
Regarding the 2025-2026 summer crop marketing, 41 584 tonnes of maize, soyabean, sorghum and sunflower have been formally marketed compared to the 21 610 tonnes marketed at the same time last year.
Added Dr Muswere: “It is noteworthy that GMB holds 7,64 percent of the intake, compared to 3,81 percent in 2025.
“Concerning marketing arrangements, GMB will aggregate grain from farmers comprising strategic grain reserve and private players through its 1 804 collection points and 89 depots.
“GMB will also store grain on behalf of clients in order to provide a convenient and cost-effective solution.
“Furthermore, GMB will introduce an in-transit grain storage facility to enhance grain imports and supply chains.”
Regarding the harvesting of grain, oilseeds and tobacco, Dr Muswere said 1 418 704 tonnes were harvested across all provinces with Mashonaland West topping the list with 41 percent of the harvest followed by Manicaland with 195 200 tonnes.
A total of 226 302 tonnes of sorghum were harvested across the eight rural provinces with Masvingo topping the list with 58 995 tonnes.
In addition, 70 733 tonnes of soyabean were harvested, with Mashonaland West recording the highest figure of 42 372 tonnes.
“As at day 42, a total of 203, 88 million kilogrammes of tobacco had been sold at an average price of US$2,59 per kilogramme.
“This represents a 35 percent increase in volume and a 24 percent decline in average price compared to the same period in 2025,” he said.
In respect of cotton, Dr Muswere said plans are underway to revive cotton production through a value chain approach and accelerated industrialisation buttressed by the Cottco corporate rescue initiative.
On winter cereals production, he said the total area earmarked for winter wheat is 125 000 hectares, of which 23 595 hectares have been planted, being 54,6 percent above the area planted in 2025.
“Cabinet also noted that El Nino events have become more frequent with variable, but consistently negative impacts on crops, livestock and water resources.
Dr Muswere said Government has adopted a wide range of mitigation and adaptation measures aimed at strengthening national food security and improving resilience to climate change.
These include enhancing the strategic grain reserve system using lessons learnt from the devastating 2024 drought, deploying artificial intelligence-powered silos for strategic grain purchases, accelerating climate-smart agriculture interventions, sustaining the Presidential Input Programme, strengthening early warning and advisory systems, improving farmer education and extension services, and continuing to prioritise irrigation development.
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