May 17, 2024

Zimbabwe's corn output to plunge by more than 70% in 2023/24 season

The government of Zimbabwe has forecasted that its staple corn production will drop 72% in the 2023/24 season, worsening the country's food situation due to an El Niño-induced drought, a crop assessment report showed last week.

Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi have declared the ravaging drought a national disaster. According to Zimbabwe's crop assessment report, estimated corn production is 634,699 tonnes for the season, representing a 72% decrease from the previous season.

The region is reeling from its worst drought in 40 years, owing to a combination of the naturally occurring El Niño and higher average temperatures.

To cover the deficit, Zimbabwe's government plans to import grain, with its private millers looking to source 1.4 million tonnes of white and yellow corn in the next two months from Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Argentina and the United States.

Finance minister Mthuli Ncube said the government would reallocate some budgeted funds from other portfolios to fund grain importation.

- Business Day