SHARP increases in fuel prices are expected to further restrict poor households’ access to food, according to a new warning from the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (Fews Net).
The organisation noted that such households are already grappling with high food prices and low incomes.
In its latest report, Fews Net indicated that many parts of the country remain under significant food stress following the peak of the 2025/26 lean season in February and March.
“Deficit-producing areas in the south, east, west and extreme north continue to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes due to depleted own-produced food stocks, high market prices and below average incomes,” the report read.
“Surplus-producing areas remain Stressed (IPC Phase 2), with households minimally meeting their food needs but struggling to meet their non-food needs.”
The situation has been exacerbated by recent fuel price hikes implemented by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, which saw petrol and diesel prices rise by 39% and 34%, respectively, in March.
“As a result, public transport fares immediately increased by between 50% and 100%,” the report read.
“Production and transportation costs have also gone up, given that fuel is a key component in many sectors.”
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Fews Net indicated that food prices are responding to the shocks, with further increases expected.
The organisation warned that prices of basic goods and services are likely to rise in the coming months due to the ongoing pressures, further eroding the purchasing power of low-income households and diminishing their ability to access adequate food.
Already, salaries have not moved despite the soaring fuel prices.
The report also highlighted growing inflationary pressures, with data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency showing a 0,4% increase in headline inflation between February and March.
“The modest increase, following several months of stability, reflects inflationary pressures driven by fuel price increases.”
While the country is expecting near-average harvests between April and May, Fews Net cautioned that this may only provide temporary relief.
“Below-average harvests in some areas will likely result in affected households depleting their own-produced stocks earlier than normal and starting to rely on the market earlier for staple cereals,” the report read.
Although the tobacco marketing season has begun, offering some income opportunities, earnings may also fall short.
According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board, prices are at least 20% lower than last year.
“If prices remain lower, this will likely result in below-average incomes from tobacco sales and negatively affect income and access to food and non-food items in tobacco-producing areas,” the report stated.
Fews Net warned that without sustained improvements, many families will continue to struggle to meet both their food and non-food needs in the months ahead.
