Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
MAIZE imports have dropped to US$159 million in the first four months of 2026 from US$237 million during the same period in 2025, as the bulk of the 2025/26 crop is harvested and sent to the market.
This marks a 33 percent decline in imports with the trend expected to continue, as the country enters the peak marketing period stretching from June to August.
Zimbabwe has so far saved US$79 million as a result of increased local production thereby strengthening national food and nutrition security and easing pressure on foreign currency reserves after the devastating 2024 El Niño-induced drought.
The savings build on gains recorded last year when the country cut maize imports by 26 percent, reducing the import bill from US$603 million to US$443 million and saving US$159 million on the back of improved harvests.
Data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) shows that the volume of maize imports dropped by 14 percent, from 566 059 tonnes to 485 613 tonnes.
This comes as Government has enacted Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 2025 (CAP. 18:24) Agricultural Marketing Authority (Grain, Oilseed and Products) (Amendment) Regulations (No. 2), last year to govern the import of grains and oilseed products as well as encourage local production.
Treasury has introduced an import levy on some grain imports to curtail the creation of an implicit subsidy on foreign grain that undermines domestic producers.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Development Ministry has since released a circular dated May 19, 2026 stating that maize imports would attract a levy of US$40 per tonne.
Stockfeed Manufacturers Association (SMA) executive administrator, Dr Reneth Mano said for the 2026/27 marketing year, Zimbabwe’s domestic maize-based agro-processing food and feed industry would require at least 1, 2 million tonnes of maize.
“The stockfeed and livestock production industry alone will require 650 000 tonnes of maize and 200 000 tonnes of soya beans for livestock production and supply of animal proteins to keep Zimbabwe 100 percent self-sufficient for meats, table eggs and farmed fish,” he highlighted.
The SMA annual report for 2025 revealed that 1 004 806 tonnes of stockfeed worth US$515 million was produced.
“The report indicated that the livestock industry procured 538 337 tonnes of maize and sorghum worth US$176 million, a 23 percent rise from 2024.
“It also acquired 170 000 tonnes of maize and wheat brans valued at US$30 million, a 16 percent increase,” said the report.
Latest figures from the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) show that farmers have so far harvested 2 716 045 tonnes of maize, a major milestone that has secured the country’s grain requirements and strengthened prospects for national food security following a successful 2025-26 agricultural season.
The bumper harvest, achieved across the country’s major grain-producing provinces, comes as harvesting nears completion, with farmers having reaped 1 818 148 hectares, representing 96 percent of the total maize area.
The second round of the 2026 Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment (CLAFA-2) report shows that maize production increased by two percent from 2,29 million tonnes during the 2024/25 season to 2,35 million tonnes last season.
According to the CLAFA-2 report, 43 percent of total maize production came from agro-ecological Region 2B, while Regions 2A and 2B combined contributed half of national maize output despite accounting for less than a third of the country’s land area.
The Agricultural Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2, 2026-30 (AFSRTS 2) revealed that the maize value chain was the most direct path to achieving food and feed security and rural industrialisation.
“Beyond economic benefits, maize production plays a vital role in poverty reduction, with every US$1 invested in maize farming generating US$2, 80 in the economy.
“Maize production is projected to increase to three million tonnes by 2030, with the gross value increasing to US$1, 05 billion from US$840 million,” read AFSRTS 2.
Climate related-induced droughts, change in consumption patterns and the promotion of maize substitutes such traditional grains, rice and potatoes will cause maize value chain contribution to agriculture gross value to decline to 6, 6 percent in 2030 from 7, 3 percent in 2026.
White maize is an important strategic crop widely grown by smallholder farmers and is the national staple grain. It is a source of livelihood to over three million people and a significant contributor to the manufacturing industry’s raw material requirements.
It is an important contributor to the agricultural economy. Maize features prominently in Zimbabwe’s agricultural policy as evidenced by frequent attempts to control its production and marketing activities through various subsidy programmes, producer price setting, ad hoc import and export bans and statutory instruments.
The Government crafts policies that ensure farmers receive higher producer prices while consumers access cheaper maize meal through subsidies.
