Zimbabwe has approved new incentive producer prices for maize, traditional grains, soya bean and sunflower for the 2025/26 summer cropping season, with authorities saying the pricing framework is aimed at sustaining production growth and strengthening national food security.
The Grain Marketing Board said the prices were approved “following extensive consultations with stakeholders.”
Under the new structure, maize and traditional grains will sell at US$364.75 per metric tonne, while soya bean has been pegged at US$583.01 per metric tonne and sunflower at US$670.46 per metric tonne.
The new prices represent increases from previous seasons as Government attempts to maintain producer viability amid rising input and production costs. During the 2024 marketing season, maize producer prices were set at around US$376 per tonne for strategic reserve grain under a blended payment arrangement, while soya bean prices averaged between US$520 and US$550 per tonne depending on quality and market conditions.
Zimbabwe’s grain pricing framework has increasingly shifted toward incentive-based producer prices in recent years as authorities try to encourage formal market deliveries and improve national grain reserves.
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In a statement accompanying the announcement, GMB chief executive Dr Edson Badarai said the approved prices were part of broader efforts to support production and maintain food security.
The pricing announcement comes after Zimbabwe recorded a major recovery in agricultural output following the El Niño-induced drought that affected the 2023/24 season.
Government projections under the 2025 Second Round Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment estimated maize production could rebound to more than 2.7 million tonnes from below 700,000 tonnes during the drought-hit previous season, while traditional grains were also expected to register significant recovery due to improved rainfall patterns and expanded climate-smart farming programmes.
Authorities have also intensified promotion of small grains such as sorghum and millet in semi-arid regions as part of climate resilience and food security strategies.
Soya bean and sunflower production have meanwhile become increasingly important to Zimbabwe’s agro-processing sector, particularly for cooking oil production and stockfeed manufacturing, where the country has historically relied on imports to cover deficits.
The Government has repeatedly stressed that predictable pricing mechanisms are critical in encouraging farmers to expand hectarage, invest in inputs and deliver produce through formal channels.
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