Online Reporter
We publish here the 18th post-Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda, in Harare yesterday.
Cabinet noted and approved an update on the 2025/2026 Summer Crops Marketing and 2026 Winter Production Plan, as presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka.
Based on the Second Round of Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report, the country is expecting a surplus strategic grain reserve ranging between 550 945 tonnes and 964 945 tonnes.
Currently, Government stocks held at the Grain Marketing Board as at 3rd June, 2026 stand at 156 603 tonnes.
Additionally, GMB also holds a total of 70 865,60 tonnes, being third party grain stocks since the completion of the AI-powered silos and subsequent offer of commercial storage services directly or through the Warehouse Receipt System.
A total of 1 928 505 hectares under maize has been harvested to date, with a volume of 2 824 110 tonnes.
A total of 528 076 hectares of sorghum has been harvested to date, yielding 323 002 tonnes.
A total of 56 562 hectares under soyabean has been harvested, giving 119 067 tonnes.
As at June 3rd, 2026, a total of 127 214 tonnes of crops comprising maize, soyabean, sorghum and sunflower had been formally marketed, compared to the 78 265 tonnes marketed at the same time in 2025.
There is a 63 percent increase in the marketed crops.
As at May 20, 2026, GMB had settled 100 percent of its US$ obligations and 82,73 percent of ZiG payments, with ZiG 50 192 313,52 outstanding.
Transporters are still owed ZiG 192 000 000,00 from 2025.
A total of 309,795 million kg of tobacco has been sold to date, at an average price of USD 2,51/kg. This reflects a 14 percent increase in volume and a 25 percent decrease in the average price, compared to the previous seasons.
Tobacco production has been on an upward trend since 2010.
However, the average price has fluctuated over the years.
Tobacco exports remain firm, with, cumulative tobacco exports as at June 4th, 2026 reaching 102,50 million kg valued at US$642,61 million at an average price of US$6,27/kg.
Sesame buying has commenced, with merchants offering producer prices ranging from US$0,60/kg to US$1,00/kg. To date, 17 buyers have been registered. The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) has confiscated 13 000kg in Chiredzi and Mbire in an operation intended to discourage smuggling of the crop.
The Zimbabwe-China Protocol for sesame is being pursued so that Zimbabwe can directly export the high value crop to China.
Regarding wheat production, the targeted hectarage is 125 000 hectares, out of which 113 503 hectares has been planted to date, translating to 91 percent of the targeted area.
Barley production remains focused on supplying the brewing industry, and a total of 7 000 hectares has been contracted.
A total of 243 850 tonnes of Irish potato production is expected from the 9 000 hectares planted. To date 92 400 tonnes has been produced from 3 300 hectares, at an average yield of 28 tonnes per hectare, compared to the 26 tonnes realised in 2025.
2.0 2026/2027 SUMMER CROPS, HORTICULTURE, FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION PLAN
Cabinet noted and approved the 2026/2027 Summer Crops, Horticulture, Fisheries and Livestock Plan as presented by Honourable Vice President Chiwenga as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Food Security and Nutrition.
The 2026/2027 Summer Production Plan seeks to guarantee national food security against the backdrop of unprecedented compound pressures including the 80 percent probability of a Super El Nino-induced drought and heightened fuel and fertiliser prices.
Cabinet adopted among others, the following measures:
i. implementation of an enhanced Strategic Grain Reserve purchase system;
ii. use of the new Artificial Intelligence powered-silos for enhanced strategic grain reserve through strategic purchases;
iii. accelerating climate smart agriculture interventions including irrigation development and agro-ecological tailoring;
iv. sustaining the Presidential Input Programme Gratitude collection;
v. strengthening Early Warning and Advisory systems;
vi. enhancing Farmer Education and Extension Services Capacity;
vii. expediting the Sable Chemicals ammonium plant commissioning;
viii. activating the Africa Risk Capacity sovereign insurance policy to cover drought-related losses; and
ix. facilitating of duty-free importation of fertiliser.
3.0 REPORT ON THE RETREAT FOR SADC MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: 22-24 MAY 2026, SOUTH AFRICA
Cabinet noted and approved the report on the retreat of SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs held from May 22-24, 2026 in South Africa, as presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Amon Murwira.
The objectives of the retreat were to advance the engagement and re-engagement strategy through finding solutions to the region’s challenges and Pan African solidarity in line with Section 12 (2) of the Constitution.
The main focus areas of the Retreat were the following: Financing regional integration, investment, public debt management and domestic revenue mobilisation; industrialisation, value chains and trade; infrastructure, transport and logistics as well as free movement of people, goods and services; energy, oil, gas and mineral resources; and agriculture, agricultural inputs, supply chains and food security.
4.0 REPORT ON THE OFFICIAL VISIT TO NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS: 3 JUNE, 2026
Cabinet noted and approved the Report on the Official Visit by the Zimbabwean delegation to New York, United States of America for the United Nations Security Council Elections held on June 3rd, 2026.
Cabinet noted with satisfaction, Zimbabwe’s overwhelming election to the non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
The victory elevates the nation’s global diplomatic standing, strengthens African representation, and accelerates Government’s international engagement and re-engagement agenda.
Securing 182 out of 190 United Nations General Assembly votes represents a sweeping international endorsement of Zimbabwe’s diplomatic approach.
It challenges previous negative geopolitical narratives, positioning the country as a trusted partner within the multilateral system.
With the victory, the two-year term will begin in earnest on January 1st, 2027.
The visit also provided the Zimbabwean delegation with an invaluable platform for bilateral and multilateral engagements with Member States and other strategic partners, in line with the engagement and re-engagement policy.
More specifically, the platforms included the following: High-level open debate of the United Nations Security Council; meeting of group of friends on global governance; and meetings with Kyrgystan, Portugal, Germany, Trinidad and Tobago and Austria.
I THANK YOU!
