Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
THE production of stockfeed has increased by 11 percent from 900 000 in 2023 to 1 million kilogrammes to date, driven by the favourable 2024/25 and 2025/26 agricultural seasons.
The volume of feed produced has exceeded one million kg since 2024, with the poultry sector leading as the main consumer.
The Stockfeed Manufacturers Association (SMA) annual report for 2025 revealed that 1 004 806 tonnes of stockfeed worth US$515 million were produced.
The commercial poultry sector continues to dominate in stock feed consumption by absorbing 78 percent of the volume produced in 2025, a marginal one percent rise from the 2024 figure, as demand for white meat continues to rise.
Commercial poultry feed output reached 779 365 tonnes worth US$412 million.
The sector consumed 644 426 tonnes of the feed worth US$380 046 971, an average price of US$529 per tonne.
“Analysis of the different commercial poultry feed types shows a variegated pattern with significant growth in broiler starter (13 percent), grower feeds (25 percent) and concentrates (25 percent), while finisher feeds declined by 13 percent.
“The pattern indicates there is greater reliance on on-farm feed mixing of grain and concentrates given improved maize availability in 2025,” read the report.
Dairy, beef, pigs, fish, indigenous chicken and other feeds contributed the balance of 22 percent of output.
The past two seasons, characterised by good rains, have resulted in good pastures relative to the 2023/24 drought, causing dairy and beef feed production to drop 18 and 43 percent, respectively, while that for fish declined 24 percent.
Pig and sundry feed volume, however, increased 13 and 11 percent correspondingly with that of indigenous feed, also rising four percent.
The Presidential Poultry Scheme under Rural Development 8.0, being spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association (ZFRPA), has catapulted the sundry feeds strong growth.
The association targets to distribute 4.5 million chicks to over 450 000 households across the country for food and nutrition security.
“A key contributor has been road runner feeds, which has moved from obscurity to a US$10,5 million subsector accounting for two percent of the feed industry output.
“Ten of the major feed manufacturers now carry a road runner feed line,” added the SMA annual report.
The report indicated that the livestock industry procured one million tonnes of raw materials worth US$419 million.
“It 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,” continued the report.
The second round of Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment (CLAFA-2) 2025/2026 summer season report concluded that grazing and water was adequate in most parts of the country and estimated to last over eight months.
The report indicates that pasture availability is sufficient to support livestock for the greater part of the year.
“Grazing shortages may be expected in Tsholotsho, Hwange, Rushinga and Gokwe. Sustained livestock productivity will depend on fodder conservation and supplementary feeding during the dry season,” read the report.
CLAFA 2 reported that broiler meat production increased 18 percent to 243 276 tonnes in 2025 from 205 880 tonnes in 2024.
“Per capita broiler meat consumption increased to 15,3kg from 12,9kg in 2024.
“Total table egg production increased significantly from 86,6 million dozen in 2024 to 100,8 million dozen in 2025, a 16,4 percent increase,” continued the report.
CLAFA 2 revealed that the total indigenous chicken population had increased from 18,096 million in 2024 to 23,418 million in 2025, representing a 29 percent growth in production.
