Zimbabwe corn output projected to double

year’s crop development has benefited from a “stronger La Niña weather pattern in the second half of the production season.” As a result of the increased production, corn imports are forecast to decline 300,000 tonnes year on year to 1 million in 2025-26, the FAS said. But the number remains historically high as total domestic demand for corn is estimated at 2.2 million tonnes, representing an 8% increase compared to 2024-25, the report said. The FAS said most of Zimbabwe’s corn imports will come from South Africa, which has approximately 1.5 million tonnes available for export in 2025-26. While corn is the country’s primary grain crop, growers face numerous challenges, the FAS noted. Corn production primarily is conducted by communal farmers, who account for 60% of the corn cultivation area but produce less than 40% of the total output due to low yields. “Farmers have limited access to irrigation technologies, subsequently more than 90% of corn production is reliant on rainfall,” ...