Zimbabwe breaks wheat record again

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

ZIMBABWE has once again broken its own wheat production record, confirming its position as one of only two African nations to achieve wheat self-sufficiency.

In a statement, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious said the country had harvested 578 059 tonnes of wheat from 110 543 hectares, already surpassing last year’s record output of 562 091 tonnes.

Dr Masuka said a further 12 023 hectares were still to be harvested by the first week of November, cementing yet another milestone under President Mnangagwa’s administration.

“From a modest volume of 94 685 tonnes in 2019 to 562 091 tonnes in 2024, Zimbabwe is one of only two jurisdictions on the African continent that have become wheat self-sufficient,” he said.

“This is testament to the President, His Excellency, Dr E.D. Mnangagwa’s visionary leadership.”

The minister said this year’s yield represented a 511 percent increase from 2019 and had already exceeded the national annual requirement of 360 000 tonnes.

“Zimbabwe is currently seeking export markets for its wheat, in the region and beyond,” said Dr Masuka.

He said while there was no need to import wheat, certain millers required high-gluten varieties not yet achievable locally.

He said Government policy allowed the importation of such wheat varieties without any additional costs.

Highlighting government’s commitment to ensuring stable supply and prices, the minister said over 6 518 MT of wheat had recently been availed to millers through the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to stabilise supply chains.

“The current wheat product price stability is partially attributable to this timely intervention,” he said.

He also urges millers registered under the Agricultural Marketing Authority Act to approach the Government for continued support.

The record-breaking output underscores Zimbabwe’s progress under the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy which continues to drive productivity, food security and export readiness in the country’s agricultural sector.