Zimbabwe’s corn output to hit 1.3M tonnes in 2025/26 amid better weather
Despite the production gains, Zimbabwe is expected to remain a net importer of corn. Imports are projected to decline to 1 million tonnes in 2025/26, down 300,000 tonnes
ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe’s corn production is forecast to more than double in the 2025–26 marketing year, reaching an estimated 1.3 million tonnes, according to the latest report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The surge comes after a prolonged drought slashed the previous season’s harvest to just 635,000 tonnes.
FAS attributes the anticipated recovery to a stronger La Niña weather pattern that brought improved rainfall during the latter half of the growing season. The favourable weather conditions supported crop development and boosted yields, offering some relief to a sector that has struggled under the weight of climate volatility and input shortages.
Despite the production gains, Zimbabwe is expected to remain a net importer of corn. Imports are projected to decline to 1 million tonnes in 2025/26, down 300,000 tonnes from the previous season.
However, the USDA report points out that this figure remains historically high due to robust domestic demand, which is forecast to rise by 8% year-on-year to 2.2 million tonnes.
Most of Zimbabwe’s corn imports are expected to come from South Africa, which will have approximately 1.5 million tonnes available for export during the season. However, access to sufficient grain remains a concern, as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with production limitations at the farm level.
The USDA report highlights that communal farmers, who cultivate about 60% of the country’s corn acreage, contribute less than 40% of total output due to consistently low yields.
These farmers often lack access to irrigation infrastructure, leaving over 90% of corn production dependent on rainfall. Compounding this challenge are persistent macroeconomic pressures and high production costs, particularly for fertiliser and fuel.
“Farmers have limited access to irrigation technologies; subsequently, more than 90% of corn production is reliant on rainfall,” the FAS said. “The ability of farmers to optimize production is further hindered by macro-economic challenges and relatively high input costs.”
To support local producers, the Zimbabwean government has maintained zero import tariffs on maize and is expected to continue buying grain through the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), which sets a fixed price to stabilise local markets. The GMB has reportedly targeted strategic grain reserves of at least 500,000 tonnes to safeguard against future shocks.
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