In the 6th Post Cabinet Press Briefing of Session II of the 2nd Republic held on 31 October 2023,
the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious. J. Masuka, presented an update on the summer and winter crops marketing.
As of 29th October 2023, the Grain Marketing Board reported maize and traditional grains stocks standing at 200,245 metric tonnes (mt) and 48,243 mt respectively. Given the monthly consumption rate of 23,000 mt, these stocks are expected to last for approximately 10.8 months.
Wheat stocks were reported at 198,104 metric tonnes as of the same date. With a monthly drawdown rate of 21,000 metric tonnes, these stocks can last up to 9.4 months.
The Grain Marketing Board has paid a total of ZW$46,431,715,012 and US$13,187,134.00 for the grain delivered.
Regarding winter wheat, the area planted under wheat stood at 90,192 hectares with an estimated harvest of 440,844 metric tonnes. Wheat harvesting is still in progress with 48,459 hectares having been harvested to date and a volume of 267,747 metric tonnes harvested so far.