Wheat production ensures stable bread prices
Bread prices will hold steady as Zimbabwe produces enough wheat to meet domestic demand, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said at the Zanu-PF National People’s Conference. Wheat output surged 538 percent from 94,000 tonnes in 2019 to 600,045 tonnes in 2025 through the Winter Wheat Programme, exceeding the annual requirement of 360,000 tonnes. Farmers have harvested 57.6 percent of planted wheat, yielding 385,267 tonnes.
Producer prices decreased from last year, with premium-grade wheat set at $461.35, down from $470 in September 2024. Local soft wheat must be blended with imported hard wheat for commercial baking, but this should not raise prices under the new import regulations. Bread sells for $1 to $1.20.
Lands Permanent Secretary Obert Jiri said increased production and lower fertilizer costs stabilized prices. Analyst Wafa Kuchera noted productivity-driven stability attracts market competition and builds sector resilience.
