Staff Reporter
Cabinet has noted steady progress in Zimbabwe’s 2024-2025 summer crops marketing season and the 2025 winter wheat production programme, reflecting positive trends in grain deliveries, cotton sales, and tobacco production that underpin the country’s agricultural sector and food security.
Addressing the media at today’s post-cabinet briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services,Jenfan Muswere said, “Deliveries of grains and oilseeds to the Grain Marketing Board from the current summer production season are on an upward trajectory.
“We anticipate between 120,000 and 150,000 metric tonnes of produce this season. Government is mobilising resources to ensure timely payments to farmers, which is essential to sustain their livelihoods and encourage continued production,” he added
As of June 5, 2025, Zimbabwe’s Strategic Grain Reserve holds 80,208 metric tonnes of grain, complemented by 48,293 metric tonnes in private sector maize stocks, providing a crucial buffer to the national food supply.
Minister Muswere also highlighted the commencement of the 2025 cotton marketing season on June 9.
“This season, seed cotton prices will be paid out in a 70:30 ratio between US dollars and Zimbabwean dollars, respectively. The minimum prices range from US$0.41 per kilogram for Grade A cotton to US$0.30 for Grade D. We expect cotton sales to reach 61,000 metric tonnes, a significant jump from last season’s 13,600 tonnes,” he said
To support farmers, a total of 697 cotton buying points have been established nationwide, including 221 permanent stations and 476 mobile units.
“Strict measures have been introduced to protect farmers’ interests. No cotton bale will leave a buying point without full payment to the farmer. Additionally, merchants must clear all outstanding debts from previous seasons before purchasing new cotton,” Minister Muswere explained
On tobacco production, Minister Muswere reported remarkable success.
“As of June 8, over 272.7 million kilograms of tobacco have been sold, valued at US$917.6 million. This is a 41 percent increase from last year’s performance. These sales benefit approximately 135,000 farmers, who earn on average over US$6,700 each, highlighting tobacco’s critical role in supporting rural incomes and economic development.”
Regarding the 2025 winter cereals programme, planting targets remain at 600,000 metric tonnes of wheat from 120,000 hectares, 39,000 metric tonnes of barley from 6,500 hectares, and 236,000 metric tonnes of potatoes from 8,700 hectares.
“To date, 105,663 hectares of wheat have been planted, along with 6,115 hectares of barley, representing 94.1 percent of the target, and 3,417 hectares of potatoes,” Minister Muswere confirmed.
Meanwhile, Government remains committed to supporting our farmers through sustained payments, infrastructure, and policies that ensure food security and economic growth.
