Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera, Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
PREPARATIONS for the 2026 grain marketing season are underway, with the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) engaging private transporters to facilitate the movement of 500 000 tonnes of grain to replenish the Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR).
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said Government’s involvement in agricultural markets, through the GMB, would remain largely confined to the procurement and management of the SGR, as well as the provision of storage facilities for the Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX).
“The 2026 National Budget will, therefore, target procurement of the Strategic Grain Reserve of about 500 000 tonnes with the objective of increasing the stock levels to over 1,5 million tonnes over the medium term,” he said.
In a recent notice, the GMB invited prospective private transporters to submit company profiles for consideration in the execution of its various logistical assignments.
“GMB invites reputable transporters to submit company profiles consisting of the following documents for registration for the 2026 season: letter of introduction, certificate of incorporation, valid operator’s licence and goods in transit cover insurance with a minimum cover of US$20 000 or equivalent at bank rate,” read the notice.
Transporters are required to possess a valid certificate of fitness, a demonstrable trade history, references from three reputable companies, as well as a valid value-added tax (VAT) certificate.
“Proof of valid registration with Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz), CR14 and CR6 Forms, banking details, lease agreement or proof of premises ownership and tracking system confirmation letter are also mandatory,” reads the notice.
The GMB is also rolling out mandatory orientation workshops for prospective transporters across the three designated cluster regions on different dates.
For the Northern region, which covers Harare and the three Mashonaland provinces, the workshop will be held at the Aspindale Training Centre, while the Eastern region, encompassing Masvingo and Manicaland provinces, will convene at the Mutare GMB depot.
The Southern region, comprising Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and North provinces as well as Midlands Province, will conduct its workshop at the Nkulumane depot in Bulawayo.
The GMB is mandated with ensuring national food security through the marketing and trading of grains and other agricultural commodities.
It executes this mandate by purchasing grains and oilseeds from farmers and selling them on both domestic and international markets, storing produce in depots countrywide, and distributing farming inputs to farmers.
Under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the GMB will expand its services to include the provision of national warehouses and secure storage facilities.
“The new GMB grain warehousing arrangements will be underpinned by the establishment of collection points nationwide, also embracing decentralisation to overcome challenges in grain logistics, access and cost.
“Millers, processors and stock feed manufacturers will be able to access grain closer to their localities, dramatically cutting transportation costs and improving efficiency across the supply chain,” reads NDS2.
The development blueprint further notes that a key feature of the warehousing arrangement will be the introduction of a grain receipt system, which will transform grain into a fungible and bankable asset, effectively facilitating the collection of grain from GMB sites different from where the original deposits were made.
“This way the GMB would serve as a facilitator, using its wide national footprint to enhance private sector participation and consequently, the reliability of grain supply,” reads NDS2.
