April 26, 2024

Zimbabwe's corn supply at risk from ongoing drought in Mashonaland Central district

The Mazowe district of Zimbabwe's Mashonaland Central province is struggling with prolonged severe drought, which threatens the country's corn supply and is impacting business of grain millers.

Poor rainfall in the district has wiped out a million hectares of corn. Authorities seek to fill the production and demand gap, with industry insiders expecting increased import of corn to meet Zimbabwe's need.

The country has been importing grain from South Africa with additional stocks expected to be shipped from Brazil.

"The drought itself, in terms of our estimation, will require us to import about 1.1 million tonnes of maize for both human and livestock consumption from between now and July 31, 2025," said Tafadzwa Musarara, chairman pf the Grain Millers Association.

Over 80% of Zimbabwe received below normal rainfall, prompting the declaration of a state of disaster in early April.

"Demand is huge, and therefore… prices tend to go up," Musarara said. "But in terms of our pricing model, we will retain our usual margins that we have been keeping. We don't make profit out of margins we make profit out of volumes."
 

- CGTN