Zim projects cereals surplus

BUSINESS REPORTER

Zimbabwe has a surplus in cereals this year driven by a growth in output of maize and traditional grains despite the uneven start and distribution of rains during the 2022/23 season, government said yesterday

Maize output is projected at 2 298 281 metric tonnes this year, up 58% from last year’s haul, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said at a post Cabinet briefing.

“…the prospects for high yields now look bright, following the Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment which has been completed,” Mutsvangwa said.

She said traditional grains production is estimated at 280 966 MT, a 45% increase on the 2021/2022 figure, sorghum production is projected to be up 32% to 191,125 MT. Pear millet production is expected to be 171 221 MT, more than half of last year’s output. Finger millet production is expected to be 18 610 MT, which is 250% more than what was produced in the 2021/2022 season.

“The total cereal production is 2 579 247 MT, against a national cereal requirement of 1 837 742 MT for human consumption and 450 000 MT for livestock, leaving a surplus,” Mutsvangwa said.

Cotton production for the 2022/2023 season is estimated at 152 472 MT, a 3% increase from the previous season; tobacco production is estimated at 234 745 MT, reflecting a 9% increase on the 2021/2022 season.

Soya bean production is estimated at 93 089 MT.

In the horticulture sub-sector, there is an overall increase in production of horticultural crops for the 2022/2023 season with growth registered in the production of blueberries, tea, irish potato, onions, tomatoes, oranges, apples, macadamia nuts and bananas, among others.

In the livestock production and development sector, Mutsvangwa said the national herd increased to 5 642 400 cattle last year from 5 509 933 in 2021.

Total milk production increased by 15% to 91 396 061 litres last year from 79 607 573 litres in 2021.