MARTIN MAWAYA
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector has enjoyed a successful 2024-2025 summer crops marketing season and promising prospects for the 2025 winter wheat production, the Cabinet has noted.
Speaking during the twentieth cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said Zimbabwe has so far marketed more than 17 million kilograms of cotton, valued at $5.5 million, to six contractors as of July 3, 2025.
“Tobacco sales, on the other hand, reached 333.3 million kilograms as of July 2, 2025, compared to 223 million kilograms sold during a similar period in 2024.
“While the average price remained subdued at $3.35 per kilogram, the total value of tobacco sales surged to over $1.12 billion, up from $766 million recorded in 2024,” he said.
Muswere added that the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has been restructured to serve as the country’s food security agency, with a mandate to produce 850,000 metric tonnes of cereals annually, contributing 95% to the Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR).
The government remains confident about reaching a projected grain surplus of between 812,000 and 1.2 million metric tonnes for the current marketing season, and is providing resources to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to facilitate timely payments for deliveries by farmers.
Grain marketing continues to be conducted through multiple channels, including the GMB, the Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX), and direct sales to various agro-processors.
With the Warehouse Receipt System recording an intake of 4,700 metric tonnes of cereals, oilseeds, and pulses to date.
The Minister added that the government is also monitoring winter cereal productivity enablers to guarantee the achievement of an anticipated 875,000 metric tonnes of wheat, barley, and potatoes in the 2025 season.
Meanwhile, the 115th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, scheduled for August 25-30, 2025, is expected to showcase the country’s agricultural progress under the theme “Building Bridges: Connecting Agriculture, Industry and Community.”
Muswere said the event has seen a significant increase in space uptake and the number of exhibitors compared to the previous year.
