carbohydates
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- Oct 13, 2026
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Zimbabwe has harvested 670,981 tonnes of wheat so far in 2026, surpassing its previous record of 640,195 tonnes in 2025 by approximately 4.8%. The Agriculture Ministry released the latest figures, which local newspaper The Herald reported on November 8.
As of November 4, farmers had harvested nearly 98% of the planted area, leaving room for further gains in the final production tally.
The increase largely reflects an expansion in wheat cultivation. Farmers planted 130,316 hectares in 2026, compared with 122,566 hectares in the previous season, representing growth of approximately 6.3%. The cultivated area also exceeded the government's initial target of 125,000 hectares by more than 5,000 hectares. Adequate supplies of agricultural inputs and other production resources further supported the harvest.
"We had the best season in our history this year. All the key production inputs were available. We experienced no power outages or water supply problems. Mechanization also played its part, with tractors and combine harvesters readily available," said Shadreck Makombe, president of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU), as quoted by The Herald.
Zimbabwe's record wheat harvest comes as domestic consumption continues to increase. According to data from the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), total wheat consumption, including domestic production and imports, rose nearly 24% over three years, from 489,402 tonnes in the 2022/23 marketing season to 605,183 tonnes in 2024/25.
The agency attributes the increase to population growth and changing dietary habits, including greater consumption of bread, pasta and noodles. In an article published by The Herald in January 2026, agricultural economist Reneth Mano estimated that national wheat requirements could reach nearly 650,000 tonnes during the 2025/26 marketing season.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's government plans to use stronger cereal harvests to replenish strategic grain reserves as El Niño-related weather conditions raise drought concerns for the 2026/27 agricultural season.
By early November, Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka estimated that national grain reserves had increased to 352,000 tonnes. However, authorities have not specified how much wheat they intend to include in the overall 600,000-tonne strategic reserve target.
Against this backdrop, Zimbabwe must manage the marketing of its record harvest to secure domestic supplies, replenish strategic reserves and create opportunities to commercialize any surplus production.
As of November 4, farmers had harvested nearly 98% of the planted area, leaving room for further gains in the final production tally.
The increase largely reflects an expansion in wheat cultivation. Farmers planted 130,316 hectares in 2026, compared with 122,566 hectares in the previous season, representing growth of approximately 6.3%. The cultivated area also exceeded the government's initial target of 125,000 hectares by more than 5,000 hectares. Adequate supplies of agricultural inputs and other production resources further supported the harvest.
"We had the best season in our history this year. All the key production inputs were available. We experienced no power outages or water supply problems. Mechanization also played its part, with tractors and combine harvesters readily available," said Shadreck Makombe, president of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU), as quoted by The Herald.
Zimbabwe's record wheat harvest comes as domestic consumption continues to increase. According to data from the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), total wheat consumption, including domestic production and imports, rose nearly 24% over three years, from 489,402 tonnes in the 2022/23 marketing season to 605,183 tonnes in 2024/25.
The agency attributes the increase to population growth and changing dietary habits, including greater consumption of bread, pasta and noodles. In an article published by The Herald in January 2026, agricultural economist Reneth Mano estimated that national wheat requirements could reach nearly 650,000 tonnes during the 2025/26 marketing season.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's government plans to use stronger cereal harvests to replenish strategic grain reserves as El Niño-related weather conditions raise drought concerns for the 2026/27 agricultural season.
By early November, Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka estimated that national grain reserves had increased to 352,000 tonnes. However, authorities have not specified how much wheat they intend to include in the overall 600,000-tonne strategic reserve target.
Against this backdrop, Zimbabwe must manage the marketing of its record harvest to secure domestic supplies, replenish strategic reserves and create opportunities to commercialize any surplus production.
