Zimbabwe has sufficient grain reserves at the national level, and the government will provide the necessary resources to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to ensure timely payment for expected grain deliveries.
This was said by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere, during the 13th Post-Cabinet Press Briefing held on Tuesday, 20 May 2025. Said Muswere:
Cabinet noted the update on 2024-2025 Summer Crops Marketing and 2025 Winter Wheat Production. According to the Second Round Crops, Livestock, and Fisheries Assessment (CLAFA 2) report of 12 April, 2025, the country has adequate grain reserves at national level.
In the interim, resources will be made available to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to facilitate timely payments for anticipated grain deliveries.
The construction of 14 grain silo depots is making steady progress at 13 centres across the country, with the Kwekwe depot having been completed and officially commissioned by His Excellency the President, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa.
Muswere announced that the 2025 cotton buying season will begin on 1 June, with prices for each grade to be confirmed once ongoing consultations are complete. He said:
The 2025 cotton buying season is set to begin on June 1, with prices per grade to be announced upon completion of ongoing consultations.
To support the season’s operations, preparations, including the establishment of 211 permanent buying points and 476 mobile buying points, have been completed.
Muswere also revealed that, as of 16 May 2025, tobacco farmers had delivered more tobacco than during the same period in 2024, although the average price per kilogramme is lower than it was last year. He said:
As of 16 May 2025, a total of 189 million kilogrammes of tobacco had been sold at an average price of US$3.38 per kilogramme.
This represents a 21% increase in volume compared to the same period last season, when 151 million kilogrammes were sold at an average price of US$3.52 per kilogramme.
Muswere said the winter wheat farming season is now in full swing, with Mashonaland West Province having planted the largest area so far compared to other provinces. He said:
Under the 2025 Winter Cereals Plan, the production targets are set at 600 000 metric tonnes of wheat from 120 000 hectares, 39 000 metric tonnes of barley from 6 500 hectares, and approximately 236 000 metric tonnes of potatoes from around 8 700 hectares.
With respect to wheat production, a total of 29 372 hectares have been planted, distributed as follows: Mashonaland West, 9 751; Mashonaland Central, 5 524; Mashonaland East, 4 095; Manicaland, 1 952; Midlands, 3 081; Masvingo, 1 031; Matabeleland North, 1 525; and Matabeleland South, 2 413.
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