Online Reporter
Zimbabwe Cabinet 16TH Post-Cabinet Press Briefing June 10, 2025
Today, the 10th of June 2025, His Excellency the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa chaired the Sixteenth Cabinet Meeting and the following issues, among others, were considered and approved:
1.0 Update On 2024-2025 Summer Crops Marketing And 2025 Winter Wheat Production
Cabinet noted the update on the 2024-2025 Summer Crops Marketing and 2025 Winter Wheat Production Programme.
Deliveries of grains and oilseeds to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) from the 2024-2025 summer production season are on an upward trend.
Resources are being mobilised to ensure timely payments for the anticipated deliveries of 120 000 to 150 000 metric tonnes. As of June 5, 2025, the Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) holds 80 208 metric tonnes, while the private sector’s maize stocks stand at 48 293 tonnes.
The 2025 cotton marketing season technically commenced on June 9, 2025. The minimum seed cotton prices for the season will be paid out in a 70:30 ratio in US dollar and ZiG currencies respectively. The prices are as follows:
Grade A: US$0.41/kg
Grade B: US$0.37/kg
Grade C: US$0.34/kg
Grade D: US$0.30/kg.
This season’s cotton sales are projected to reach 61 000 metric tonnes, significantly surpassing last season’s total of 13 600 metric tonnes. To facilitate these sales, a total of 697 buying points have been established, comprising 221 permanent stations and 476 mobile units. To ensure fair trade practices, strict guidelines have been put in place and no cotton bales will be allowed to leave a buying point unless the farmers have been fully paid for their deliveries. Furthermore, merchants are only permitted to purchase seed cotton once they have settled all outstanding payments for previous season’s deliveries, including any grade differential prices owed to farmers.
As of June 8, 2025, the tobacco industry has achieved remarkable success, with over 272.7 million kilogrammes of tobacco valued at US$917.6 million sold. Produced by approximately 135 000 tobacco farmers, this impressive output translates to an average earning of over US$6 700 per farmer. This underscores the substantial economic benefits of tobacco production for farming communities, bolstering household incomes and driving economic growth and development in tobacco-growing areas.
Notably, the marketed volume of tobacco represents a significant 41 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. The 2025 deliveries are on a strong upward trajectory, with daily sales averaging 4.7 million kilogrammes, reflecting a substantial improvement from the 2.8 million kilogrammes recorded in 2024.
For the 2025 Winter Cereals plan, the production targets remain as previously announced at 600 000 tonnes of wheat from 120 000 hectares (ha), 39 000 tonnes of barley from 6 500ha and 236 000 tonnes of potatoes from 8 700ha. As of June 5, 2025, significant progress has been made in planting, with 105 663ha already planted under wheat across various regions. In terms of barley production, 6 115ha has been planted, being 94.1 percent of the target, while for potatoes, a total of 3 417ha has been planted against a target of 8 750ha.
2.0 Report On The Official Handing Over Of Tools Of Trade To Agriculture Institutions And Extension Personnel By His Excellency The President, DR ED Mnangagwa: 10 June 2025
Cabinet noted the Report on the official hand over of tools of trade agriculture institutions and Extension Personnel by His Excellency the President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, today, 10 June 2025.
His Excellency the President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, handed over 60 Toyota 2.8-litre, one-ton trucks to 60 District Agricultural Extension Workers, marking the first new replenishment in 35 years.
Additionally, the President handed over 6 000 solar charging stations and 6 000 batteries to 6 000 Extension Workers nationwide, who had previously received 6 000 tablets to support their extension work.
Furthermore, His Excellency, President Dr ED Mnangagwa handed over 20 forty-ton trucks to the GMB and 10 forty-ton trucks to the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA). These vehicles will enable the institutions to efficiently transport grain from farmers during harvest and facilitate the distribution of inputs.
3.0 Update On Various Matters In The Mining Industry
Cabinet received an update on various matters in the Mining Industry which was presented by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honourable W Chitando.
Pertaining to Ferrochrome which part of the value chain in stainless steel production, the Minister reported that it is the most volatile mineral in terms of prices. There are about 10 other ferrochrome producers whose capacity ranges from 3 000 to 84 000 tonnes per annum, with an estimated total capacity of 270 000 tonnes per annum. The Palm River Project which was commissioned in February 2025 now has an operational production capacity of 100 000 tonnes per annum and is in the process of ramping up to a design capacity of 1 000 000 tonnes of ferrochrome which will make it by far the largest producer in the country. With immediate effect, the issuance of new chrome mining title above 100ha has to be linked to the expansion or development of new furnace capacity.
Cabinet re-affirmed the ban on the export of chrome ores, and stressed the need to develop the ferrochrome industry locally. The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development will be strengthening the implementation of the use it/lose it principle, and holders of all unutilised mining titles, chrome in particular, are requested to take note of the Government position.
Pertaining to the Lithium Sub-sector, Zimbabwe produces mainly mostly Spodumene ores which are critical in the new energy drive. Zimbabwe lithium ore bodies are multi-element as they contain a number of minerals.
Bikita Minerals and Arcadia Lithium are in the process of establishing lithium sulphate value addition facilities in order to beneficiate the lithium ores produced locally. With effect from January 2027 the export of lithium concentrate will no longer be allowed.
4.0 The Legislative Programme
4.1 Ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine BioDiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)
Cabinet approved for ratification the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Marine Biodiversity of areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was adopted by State Parties to the UNCLOS on 19 June, 2023. Zimbabwe signed the Agreement on March 5, 2025. The Agreement provides for conservation of living resources in the high seas, addresses emerging threats of pollution, over-exploitation of marine resources, and climate change. The Agreement is founded on principles of sustainable development which are the basis of the country’s environmental policies and legislation. Ratification of the Agreement is therefore critical as it will enhance cooperation with other States in pursuit of sustainable development for national and regional benefit.
4.2 The Tourism Amendment Bill, 2025
Cabinet considered and approved the Tourism Amendment Bill, 2025.
The Bill proposes amendments to the Tourism Act [Chapter 14:20] and seeks to ensure that the principles of Public Administration and leadership as set out in the Constitution, and the Public Entities and Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:31] are incorporated. The Bill promotes gender equality, representation and universal access in line with provisions set out in the Constitution. The Bill will strengthen the administration of the Zimbabwe Tourism Fund by introducing a “Tourism Council” responsible for the oversight of disbursements of funds.
The Bill further seeks to strengthen regulation of the tourism sector by introducing new provisions for shutting down unregistered facilities, and ensuring mandatory publication of all registered tourism facilities as well as mandatory registration of all online booking platforms. The Bill introduces civil penalties for failure to pay, collect or remit any levies and fees, and also proposes a mandatory obligation for operators in the industry to submit to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority statistics and information utilised for tourism planning and development of marketing strategies.
4.3 Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Zambia in Facilitating Private Sector Development and Implementation of the Zimbabwe-Zambia Oil Products and Natural Gas Pipelines Project
Cabinet approved the above-stated memorandum, through which Zimbabwe and Zambia wish to facilitate the development of a new pipeline system to transport refined petroleum from Zimbabwe to Zambia. The Memorandum of Understanding leverages on Zimbabwe’s existing capacity for oil and gas storage, processing and transportation coupled with Zambia’s growing demand for affordable and efficient energy use.
Transporting fuel to Zambia by pipeline is expected to take fuel tankers off the roads, thereby reducing damage to road infrastructure.
4.4 Ratification of the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption
Cabinet approved that the Parliament of Zimbabwe should ratify to the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Inter-Country Adoption which was adopted on May 29, 1993, in the Hague, the Netherlands. The Convention focuses on the need for countries to work together to prevent the abduction, sale or trafficking of children, and recognises inter-country adoption as a means of offering the advantage of a permanent home to a child when a suitable family has not been found in the child’s country of origin. The ratification will further entrench Zimbabwe’s collaboration with the rest of the international community in the domain of child protection.
4.5 Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Biological Agency (The Russian Federation) and the Ministry of Health and Child Care of Zimbabwe on Cooperation in the Field of Healthcare and Medical Science
Cabinet approved the above-stated memorandum of understanding, which seeks to encourage and promote equitable and mutually beneficial cooperation between the Parties in healthcare and medical science. The Parties shall develop cooperation in education and advanced training of healthcare professionals through activities such as organisation of courses in prevention and treatment of childhood diseases, medical research and prevention of infectious diseases, including through preventive vaccination.
5.0 Report On The High-Level International Conference On Glaciers’ Preservation In Dushanbe, Tajikistan: May 29-31, 2025
Cabinet noted the Report on the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan from May 29 to 31, 2025.
Vice President, Honourable Gen (Rtd) Dr CGDN Chiwenga, led a delegation to the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers Preservation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from May, 29 to 31, 2025. The conference drew participants from 90 countries, highlighting the global importance of the issue. During his presentation at the Opening Session, the Vice President reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to the Dushanbe Declaration and joined the international call for glaciers preservation. He stressed the importance of funding scientific research to slow down glacier melting, a pressing issue exacerbated by climate change.
During the Vice President’s meeting with the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, both leaders emphasised the importance of strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between their two countries. They also discussed the signing of pending Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Tajikistan’s support for Zimbabwe’s bid for a non-permanent member seat on the United Nations Security Council. Additionally, the Vice President met with the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, where it was proposed that Zimbabwe should host a Presidential segment of SADC Heads of State and Government during the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15). This initiative aims to leverage the legacy of the convention and promote wetlands conservation in the region.
I Thank You!
