• Zimbabwe’s wheat harvest hits record 639,942 tons, up 13% year-on-year
• Surplus of 280,000 tons expected, export talks underway with neighboring countries
• Gains driven by expanded acreage and investments in irrigation, mechanization
  

Zimbabwe’s wheat harvest for the 2024/2025 season reached a record 639,942 tons, according to figures from the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services, cited by local outlet The Herald.

The output exceeded the initial forecast of 600,000 tons by 6% and was 13% higher than the 563,961 tons produced the previous season.

The Ministry of Agriculture said the bumper harvest was largely the result of government investments in farm mechanization and irrigation infrastructure. Farmers also expanded the wheat area by 2,000 hectares in 2024/2025, bringing the total planted area to nearly 122,000 hectares.

Regionally, the Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, and Mashonaland East provinces were the top producers, each harvesting more than 120,000 tons.

With annual domestic consumption estimated at 360,000 tons, the new production record is expected to leave a surplus of nearly 280,000 tons available for export. In September, the Agriculture Ministry said talks were underway with Zambia, Mozambique, and Tanzania to sell part of the excess output.

Stéphanas Assocle