Shortage of grain looms in Zimbabwe

Oscar J Jeke

The Grain Marketing Board is facing a supply deficit on grain with the available stock for maize, traditional grain and wheat only covering the demand of consumption for 10.2 months and 11.5 months respectively, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere has revealed.

Dr Muswere, who made these remarks in the post-Cabinet briefing, reiterated that GMB as at December 10, had in stock a total of 235 095 metric tonnes of grain, comprising 188 353 metric tonnes of maize and 46 742 metric tonnes of traditional grains, while the current wheat stock is at 242 508 metric tonnes.

“At the prevailing monthly consumption rate of 23 000 metric tonnes per month, the available grain will last 10, 2 months,” Dr Muswere said.

In the same, the Minister also added: “Regarding wheat, the country’s current stock stands at 242 508 metric tonnes, which are sufficient to provide 11.5 months cover at a monthly drawdown rate of 21 000 metric tonnes.”

An X user, only identified as Mulando alleged misrepresentation by the Minister insinuating, “Monthly grain requirement is about 41 000 tonnes for both human and industrial use. That will cover about 6 months. It is still enough to take the nation to the next harvest, but with El Nino intake for 2023-24 will be substantially lower.”

The El Nino phenomenon which is expected to have a drawdown the impact of harvest in the country against an already struck GMB which can only guarantee below a year’s stock supply on grain and wheat.

Although the minister revealed that the government instituted migratory measures, including the available maize seed being of the early to ultra-early maturity variety, it remains to be seen if the measures may have a positive impact on import percentage on grain and wheat which has stood at 313 719 metric tonnes of both maize, wheat and wheat flour being imported by the private sector between April 1 and December 3, 2023.