Zambia projects 3.7 million tonne maize harvest, signals export readiness
If the projected harvest is realized, Zambia could reclaim its status as a maize exporter
Zambia – Zambia is set to record one of its strongest agricultural seasons in years, with the Ministry of Agriculture projecting a bumper maize harvest of 3.7 million tonnes in the 2024/2025 season, up from 1.5 million tonnes the previous season.
If the projected harvest is realized, Zambia could reclaim its status as a maize exporter, as the country’s domestic consumption stands at approximately 2.8 million tonnes.
With a forecasted output of 3.7 million tonnes, the resulting surplus of over 501,000 tonnes exceeds national food security requirements and positions Zambia to resume exports to regional markets across COMESA and SADC.”
Speaking at a press briefing, Agriculture Minister Sylvia Masebo said the robust yield reflects the impact of early government interventions and favourable weather conditions. She credited the success to the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), which enabled smallholder farmers to plant on time and access essential inputs.
“This yield is not just a product of rainfall; it’s a result of policy alignment and farmer commitment,” Masebo said.
She noted that the projected surplus could lead to a reduction in mealie meal prices, easing pressure on household food budgets across the country.
The government is already evaluating which provinces will contribute the most to the maize surplus to facilitate planned exports.
“We’re looking at opportunities across COMESA and SADC to distribute our excess maize without compromising national reserves,” Masebo added.
The announcement has been welcomed by agricultural stakeholders, with the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) urging the government to scale up storage capacity and secure market access to prevent post-harvest losses, which remain a major challenge despite rising yields.
The surplus also comes at a time when food inflation has eased slightly, offering hope for broader macroeconomic relief. Analysts say the strong harvest could help stabilize the kwacha, with reduced dependence on food imports and potential foreign exchange gains from maize exports.
New initiative to tackle food losses
In a related development, Zambia launched a new national initiative on May 23, aimed to address the persistent issue of post-harvest losses.
The project is led by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, and is supported by a US$15.37 million grant from the Green Climate Fund and AGRA.
Speaking at the launch, Maziko Phiri, AGRA Country Manager for Zambia, said the programme aims to transform the post-harvest landscape by scaling up climate-resilient technologies across maize and soybean value chains.
“Our mission is to increase incomes and improve food security for smallholder farming households by addressing one of the most under-addressed challenges in African agriculture,” Phiri said.
The project will provide farmers with access to modern storage, drying and preservation facilities, promote climate-smart practices, and strengthen linkages between producers and markets to ensure that reduced losses translate into higher incomes.
Up to 40% of grain harvest lost annually
Permanent Secretary John Mulongoti said Zambia currently loses 30% to 40% of its maize and soybean harvest each year due to poor storage, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of affordable preservation technologies.
“These losses significantly undercut national food security and farmer profitability,” he said, adding that the project is particularly timely as the country recovers from a recent severe drought that exposed vulnerabilities in the agricultural system.
Mulongoti stressed that improving post-harvest management is essential to consolidating gains from the current bumper harvest.
“This initiative will help fortify Zambia’s food systems against future climate shocks and economic disruptions,” he said.
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