Zimbabwe aims to increase wheat production from around 640,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes by 2030, positioning itself as a net exporter of the grain. The target is contained in the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2), covering 2026 to 2030, which replaces the earlier AFSRTS 1 strategy.
Under the strategy, wheat production is projected to rise from 778,000 tonnes in 2026 to 1,388,000 tonnes by 2030, with the crop's gross value increasing from US$342 million to US$541 million over the same period. The wheat value chain's contribution to overall agricultural gross value is expected to grow from 3% to 3.4%.
The strategy is sequenced in phases. Self-sufficiency was attained in 2022. The current phase focuses on substituting imports with locally produced wheat products. The next phase, running towards 2030, is aimed at building export volumes to generate foreign currency.
Industry figures have welcomed the direction of travel. National Foods chief executive Mike Lashbrook has said local wheat quality is generally very good and usually produces a whiter flour, which is what consumers want. Some manufacturers are already producing bread from 100% locally grown wheat.
Zimbabwe still imports about 30% of its hard wheat requirements for blending, so the strategy's ultimate success is closely linked to progress in the country's hard wheat breeding programme. See the report on recent breeding advances and the trade and imports page for more on the blending model this strategy hopes to eventually retire.