Zimbabwe Celebrates Record Wheat Harvest And Advances Hard Wheat Trials
Zimbabwe is celebrating a historic milestone in its agricultural sector with the highest ever wheat harvest recorded during the 2025 winter season. The country harvested a remarkable 640,195 tonnes of wheat from 122,146 hectares, achieving an average yield of 5.2 tonnes per hectare. This achievement marks the third consecutive year of wheat self-sufficiency, a significant boost towards national food security.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on 2 December 2025, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere highlighted the government’s commitment to advancing agricultural innovation by announcing ongoing trials to develop hard wheat varieties suited to Zimbabwe’s environment. Hard wheat, distinguished by its high gluten content, is essential for bread-making and baking industries. Traditionally, Zimbabwe has produced spring wheat, classified as soft wheat, requiring blending with imported hard wheat for bread production.
Minister Muswere stated, “Cabinet was updated on the 2024-2025 summer crops marketing, 2025 winter season crops production and 2025-2026 summer season production plan. The grain stock at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) as at November 27, 2025 stands at 180,063 tonnes, of which the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) contributed 60,347 tonnes.”
In addition to wheat, Zimbabwe’s barley production has also improved notably. A total of 47,709 tonnes of barley was harvested from 6,156 hectares, achieving an increased average yield of 7.75 tonnes per hectare compared to 7 tonnes per hectare from the previous year. These gains reflect ongoing efforts to enhance cereal yields through improved farming practices and seed varieties.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka provided further insights into the hard wheat trialling programme. He explained, “The climate conditions in Zimbabwe were deemed to be such that we could not produce hard wheat, but there are a few seed companies that have researched on hard wheat. The hard wheat production has always been associated with lower yield per head. This is the first major breakthrough of a variety that combines the hard wheat characteristic and a higher yield.”
Dr Masuka revealed that the trialled hard wheat variety, undergoing testing over the past four years, exhibits high gluten content regardless of the production environment. This breakthrough suggests Zimbabwe’s climate and soil can support the cultivation of both soft and hard wheat, paving the way for the country to become self-sufficient in these key cereals.
Zimbabwe currently requires about 360,000 tonnes of wheat annually to satisfy demand for bread and related products. While the country produces most of its soft wheat, it imports approximately 30 percent of its hard wheat requirements for blending. However, some local manufacturers already produce bread solely from 100 percent locally grown wheat, indicating growing confidence in domestic cereals.
The government is also pushing for localisation of crop value chains alongside improving crop genetics to suit Zimbabwe’s climate. This strategy aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which prioritises economic growth through agricultural transformation, with a focus on women, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.
Zimbabwe’s wheat production has experienced an impressive trajectory, increasing from 94,685 tonnes in 2019, breaking a 56-year record with 468,000 tonnes in 2023, and further rising to 562,091 tonnes in 2024. This upward trend underscores the country’s dedication to enhancing food security, reducing dependency on imports, and bolstering rural livelihoods.
The successful development of high-yield hard wheat varieties has the potential to revolutionise Zimbabwe’s agriculture by introducing crops that meet both domestic demand and climate resilience standards. This progress offers vital opportunities for smallholder farmers, including women and youth, by diversifying production choices and creating jobs in farming and processing sectors.
Furthermore, enhanced barley yields complement Zimbabwe’s cereal production landscape, contributing to diversified nutrition and income for rural communities.
FFA Explainer Box:
Hard Wheat: Wheat with higher protein and gluten content used mainly for bread-making, traditionally grown in temperate climates. It differs from soft wheat, which is better suited for products like cakes and pastries.
Grain Marketing Board (GMB): Zimbabwe’s state body responsible for procuring, storing, and distributing grain to stabilise supply and prices.
National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1): Zimbabwe’s strategic framework from 2021 to 2025 guiding socio-economic development, emphasising agriculture, gender inclusivity, youth empowerment, and sustainable growth.
In summary, Zimbabwe’s record wheat harvest and advancement in hard wheat seed trials are landmark achievements for the country’s agricultural sector. These successes not only enhance national food self-reliance but also open doors to value chain development and economic empowerment, firmly positioning Zimbabwe as a leader in regional food security efforts.
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