Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
Farmers have welcomed the incentive producer floor prices announced by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) for the 2026/27 summer cropping season, saying they reflect realities on the ground.
GMB on Thursday announced producer prices for maize, traditional grains, soya bean and sunflower as farmers gear up for production.
The announcement comes as harvesting of early-planted wheat has started across the country.
GMB chief executive, Dr Edison Badarai, said Government had set the incentive producer planning and pre-planning prices for the 2026/27 winter and summer seasons.
“Following extensive consultations with stakeholders, Government has approved the incentive producer floor marketing price for wheat and incentive planning prices for the 2026/27 summer season,” he said.
Dr Badarai said the wheat producer price has been set at US$531,93 per tonne, while maize and traditional grains have been set at US$432 per tonne.
“Soya bean price has been set at US$660, 95 per tonne while sunflower will be bought at US$826,19 per tonne,” he added.
Last year, maize and traditional grains were bought at US$364,75 per tonne, soya bean at US$583,01 and sunflower at US$670,46.
The sunflower price increased by 23 percent, maize and traditional grains rose by 18 percent, while soya bean surged by 13 percent.
Zimbabwe Farmers union (ZFU) secretary general Mr Paul Zakariya said the announced prices were encouraging, particularly in view of the significant increase in production costs.
“Farmers should also adopt production systems that help reduce costs, while exploring bulk purchasing of inputs and aggregation of produce to strengthen their bargaining power and facilitate better-coordinated marketing,” he said.
Commercial Farmers union (CFU) president Mr Laim Phillip, said it was good the pricing was calculated using a cost-plus 15 percent model.
“Prices are reflective of the realities on the ground. Unfortunately, the open market uses pricing far lower closer to import parity,” he said.
He expressed concern over the policy that allows millers to import 60 percent of their raw materials, saying it would be difficult for commercial farmers to compete with imports from neighbouring countries such as South Africa.
“It would be a great result if GMB could purchase and pay for the lion’s share of the crop,” he said.
Zimbabwe National Farmers union (ZNFU) president Mrs Monica Chinamasa said the prices were good, but the major worry was the El Niño threat.
Government has since assured farmers that GMB will pay within 30 days of delivery, as per the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2).
