Zimbabwe has set its most ambitious wheat production target yet for 2026: 125,000 hectares planted and 662,500 tonnes of output, which would exceed the national annual requirement of approximately 615,000 tonnes. The plan was outlined at Cabinet level, with government committing to monitor critical inputs including electricity, water, seed, fertiliser, and fuel throughout the season.
Progress so far has been strong. By mid-May 2026, contractors and self-financing farmers had contracted 97,098 hectares, with 28,250 hectares already planted.
The scale of the target reflects a wider shift in demand. National wheat demand has grown well beyond the 360,000-tonne figure used in earlier years, as bread, pasta, noodles, and biscuits take up a larger share of the national food basket. Wheat has become one of the country's most strategic cereals.
The 2025 season delivered another record, though the exact figure varies by source: some reports cite approximately 578,000 tonnes, while government end-of-season figures cite around 640,000 tonnes. Farmers have nonetheless warned that cost pressures and delayed payments could undermine progress if not addressed this season.
Supporting infrastructure is also being expanded. A US$200 million nitrogen fertiliser plant is planned, with construction expected to begin in June 2026 and operations projected for 2027, producing 200,000 tonnes of urea and 200,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate annually. See the wheat growing page for more on how the crop is planted and supported, and the production statistics page for the full historical record.