Zimbabwe’s corn production expected to rebound by 38% in 2026/27

Zimbabwe’s corn production is projected to recover significantly in the MY 2026/27, supported by favorable La Niña weather conditions and an expansion in harvested area. According to the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, corn output is expected to reach 1.8 million tonnes, up 38% from the previous season.

The harvested area is forecast to increase from 1 million hectares in 2025/26 to 1.4 million hectares in the upcoming season. Despite a dry spell during the middle of the growing season, yields are expected to return to the five-year average. The projected crop would also be nearly three times larger than the drought-affected harvest recorded in 2024/25.

The production increase is considered essential as domestic corn demand is expected to rise by 7% to 2.3 million tonnes. Growth in human consumption, along with expanding poultry, egg, and dairy sectors, is driving feed demand higher and supporting overall grain consumption.

As a result of the larger harvest, Zimbabwe’s corn import requirements are expected to decline. The country is projected to import around 600,000 tonnes of corn in 2026/27, which would represent a 25% reduction compared to the previous marketing year.

South Africa and Zambia are expected to remain Zimbabwe’s main corn suppliers. According to FAS estimates, South Africa will have approximately 3 million tonnes available for export, while Zambia is expected to hold a surplus of about 1 million tonnes, helping meet Zimbabwe’s import needs once domestic supplies begin to tighten.

Tags: Zimbabwe, crop forecast, corn