ZIMBABWE has surpassed its national wheat demand with a record 578 059 metric tonnes harvested so far during the 2025 winter wheat season, exceeding both last year’s production and the country’s annual requirement.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minister Anxious Masuka revealed the development in a statement, saying the milestone confirmed Zimbabwe’s status among only two countries in Africa that have attained wheat self-sufficiency.
He said Zimbabwe was poised to register another record wheat production during the 2025 season.
“From a modest volume of 94 685 metric tonnes in 2019, to 562 091 metric tonnes in 2024, Zimbabwe is only one of two jurisdictions on the African continent that have become wheat self-sufficient,” Masuka said.
He said this year’s output had already surpassed last year’s record, with more wheat expected from the fields.
“An additional 12 023 hectares of the 122 566 hectares planted should be harvested, as, per plan, by the first week of November 2025.
“This production is a 511% increase from 2019. This wheat production already exceeds our national annual requirement, estimated at 360 000 metric tonnes,” he said.
Masuka revealed that the country is actively seeking export markets across the region and beyond, while assuring that local supply remains secure.
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“There is, therefore, no need to import wheat. However, certain millers have indicated that their mills and bread styles, require high gluten content wheat, not achievable in locally-produced wheat.
“As per current policy such wheat, not produced locally will continue to be imported as per previous pronouncements and import application arrangements, without any additional costs.”
He said the government had released 6 518 metric tonnes to millers in recent weeks to stabilise supply and pricing levels of wheat products.
Masuka urged registered millers to approach the government for support in line with the Agricultural Marketing Authority Act to ensure the momentum gathered in stabilising wheat supply and demand is accelerated.
