The country has recorded a remarkable surge in grain and oilseed deliveries, with a total of 882 230 metric tonnes of maize, soyabeans, sorghum, wheat and sunflower sold formally as of October 2 representing a 387 percent increase from last year’s intake.
Announcing the development during the Thirtieth Post Cabinet Press Briefing held in Harare today, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka, said the Grain Marketing Board’s intake is 148.16 percent higher than last year’s, reflecting improved production under the Government’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“The Strategic Grain Reserve currently holds 141 943 metric tonnes of grains in stock. As part of promoting value chain financing of production to ensure food and nutrition security, millers are required to secure at least 40 percent of their raw material requirements through contracting farmers,” said Minister Masuka.
He added that cotton marketing has also registered significant progress, with 28.7 million kilogrammes sold to six contractors since the start of the marketing season on 24 July 2025, marking a 108 percent increase compared to last year.
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“Tobacco sales have reached a record 354.8 million kilogrammes valued at US$1.18 billion. Tobacco seed sales are 13 percent firmer compared to the same time in 2024, which augurs well for attaining the 2025/2026 production target of 360 million kilogrammes,” Masuka said.
He noted that the area planted to irrigated tobacco stands at 15 655 hectares, up 11.5 percent from 2024’s 14 046 hectares, showing growing farmer confidence in the sector.
Masuka said the Winter Cereals Plan targeted 135 500 hectares, including 120 000 hectares for wheat, 6 500 hectares for barley and 9 000 hectares for potatoes.
The projected yields stand at 600 000 metric tonnes of wheat, 39 000 metric tonnes of barley, and 243 000 metric tonnes of potatoes.
“To date, 3 434 hectares of the 2025 winter crop of wheat have been harvested. Migratory pest control and surveillance continue across all provinces, and Government reassures farmers that there is enough manpower, vehicles, sprayers and chemicals to respond to any outbreaks,” he said.
The Minister said the positive trends in crop production demonstrate the success of ongoing Government programmes aimed at ensuring national food self-sufficiency and export growth under the government agricultural development strategy.
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