Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera-Specialist Writer-Agribusiness
THE Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange weekly grain and oilseed auction turnover recovered from last week’s drop to climb above the US$1 million mark again last week, after volumes rose markedly.
ZMX conducts weekly grain and oilseed auctions every Wednesday.
On the opening day of the 2026 agriculture market on April 1, 1 740 tonnes of maize and soya beans valued at US$803 850 were traded.
Yellow maize fetched US$350 per tonne, while soya bean achieved a volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of US$545 per tonne.
The second weekly auction recorded a 60 percent increase in turnover to US$1,289 million. Successive weekly auctions saw the volume and values traded decrease to their lowest levels of 300 tonnes and US$104 580, respectively, on May 27.
Following the implementation of the new grain procurement and import verification framework, designed to create a transparent, accountable system that prioritises local farmers, the volume of crops is beginning to rise.
According to the latest statistics from ZMX auction results for June 10, 3 500 tonnes of white maize were traded for US$1 219 750 under 11 different lots from 11 active buyers.
The maize was sold at the volume weighted average price (VWAP) of US$348, 50 per tonne.
“At least 4 900 tonnes of white maize demanded at prices below US$345 per tonne were unmatched, same as 2 000 tonnes of yellow maize at US$335 per tonne.
“There was also outstanding demand for 6 500 tonnes of soya bean at prices less than US$550 per tonne,” said ZMX.
The ZMX report indicated that there was an outstanding supply of 5 510 tonnes of maize in Harare and Chinhoyi.
“There is also an outstanding supply of 500 tonnes of soya beans, 1 250 tonnes of sugar beans and 120 tonnes of sorghum, all Harare delivered.
“A monthly forward demand of 1 000 tonnes of white maize and a 6 000 tonnes wheat forward supply at US$530 per tonne with settlement over three months are available.”
ZMX chief executive, Mr Collen Tapfumaneyi, said they were ready for increased delivery of grains by farmers as moisture reached acceptable levels.
“We anticipate good trading volumes as the local grain reaches required moisture content levels, an issue that slowed down trading in the last few weeks.
“SI 87 aims to encourage the purchase of locally produced grain and this will certainly help strengthen demand from local producers,” he said.
The Government enacted Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 2025 (CAP. 18:24) Agricultural Marketing Authority (Grain, Oilseed and Products) (Amendment) Regulations (No. 2) last year, which govern the import of grains and oilseed products as well as encourage local production.
According to section 13, “No person shall import grain, oilseed and products, except for contractors in instances of need.
“(2) Where the landed import parity price is lower than the local production parity price, the difference shall accrue to the Agricultural Revolving Fund.
“(3) With effect from 1st April, 2026, all processors must source at least forty per centum of their annual requirements of grain, oilseed and products locally, and with effect from 1st April, 2028, one hundred per centum of all annual requirements of grain, oilseed and products must be sourced locally.”
The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) will provide overall regulatory and supervisory oversight, while the ZMX will provide the online trading, reporting and verification platform responsible for monitoring procurement and import compliance.
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) will provide the backbone storage infrastructure supporting the framework alongside approved private warehouse operators across the country.
