Zimbabwe's wheat farmers face market glut

Published: 12 hours ago

Zimbabwe's wheat farmers are struggling to find buyers after producing a record-breaking harvest this season, raising concerns about market access and crop management in Africa's fast-growing agricultural sector.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the 2024/25 wheat output is projected to surpass 600,000 tonnes, up six percent from last year's 563,961 tonnes. This increase was driven by the expansion of the planted area to 122,000 hectares, an additional 2,000 hectares compared to the previous season.

With national wheat consumption estimated at 360,000 tonnes annually, Zimbabwe expects a surplus of nearly 240,000 tonnes, which authorities hope to export to regional markets. Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka recently confirmed that discussions were underway with Zambia, Mozambique, and Tanzania to absorb part of the excess crop.

However, AFC Holdings chief executive Francis Macheka told delegates at the CEO Africa Annual Roundtable 2025 in Victoria Falls that farmers were battling to sell their produce despite the strong harvest.

"We produced a lot of wheat this year, but we struggle to sell it. We need somebody to come and buy it," Macheka said.
"How can we capacitate farmers to ensure they produce a commodity that not only guarantees food security but also export potential?"

The problem is not unique to wheat. Agricultural experts in Manicaland province have reported that horticultural products are being discarded due to a lack of viable markets, a trend also affecting farmers across Africa.

Macheka warned that while Africa has the land, water, and climate to become a global food hub, the continent must address key structural weaknesses.

"Africa has the most remaining land that can feed the world, and Zimbabwe is the most dammed country on the continent," he said.
"But a dam alone is not a business - it's the utilisation of that water through irrigation and efficient systems that makes it productive."

He urged the agricultural sector to focus on diversification, arguing that this would help countries like Zimbabwe adapt to climate variability. The coming rainy season, he noted, was only expected to begin in December - a delay that threatens rain-fed production.

"We must adapt to these new changes if we are to increase productivity. Diversification of crops and livestock is a key fundamental," he said.

Macheka also emphasized the importance of collaboration and financing, noting that Zimbabwe's 2.5 to 3 million smallholder farmers, who produce most of the country's food, remain the most vulnerable because they depend on rainfall.

"We need to manage our water properly, build irrigation systems, and ensure guaranteed market access," he said.
- NewsDay

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