Online Reporter
Precious Manomano and Edgar Vhera
THE pre-planting price of US$335 per tonne of maize announced by Government recently tallies with the country’s landed import parity price and the South African futures grain market price for May 2025.
In a press statement released by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), maize and traditional grain (sorghum, millet) prices were set at US$335,14 per tonne.
“Soya bean will be bought at US$619,31 per tonne with sunflower pegged at US$712,20.
“GMB reaffirms its commitment to maintaining a pivotal role in the agricultural stabilisation and transformation agenda,” read the statement.
Livestock and Meat Advisory Services (LMAC) executive administrator, Dr Reneth Mano, said the Government’s maize prices were in agreement with those of its main regional trade partners.
“The RSA futures maize grain market prices for May 2025 and corresponding Harare landed import parity prices for white maize are US$254 and US$364, while for yellow maize, they are US$224 and US$334.
“For soya bean, it is US$422 with an import parity of US$532, while for sunflower, it is US$523 and cost import parity of US$638,” Dr Mano said.
He said the country preferred importing genetically modified organism (GMO)-free white maize from Zambia to satisfy the demand for sadza over the GMO white maize from South Africa, Brazil or Argentina.
White maize from Zambia is expected to land in Harare at US$300 to US$320 per tonne from June 2025 to April 2026, Dr Mano added.
The same sentiments were echoed by Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union (ZCFU) president, Dr Shadreck Makombe, who said the prices were in tandem with the environment.
“Farmers must not confuse the high prices prevailing in the market now, as this was caused by the El Niño-induced drought that affected production last year.
“Prices are determined by real factors on the ground, and with current conditions, this is a fair price,” the ZCFU boss said.
Zimbabwe National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) president, Mrs Monica Chinamasa, welcomed the prices, saying they were practical.
“The prices are viable, but the real issue relates to the split between local and foreign currency and the timing of receiving the money,” she said.
Food Crop Contractors’ Association (FCCA) chairman, Mr Graeme Murdoch said there was some consultation in determining the announced prices, adding that the announced rates were meant only for planning purposes.
“I believe the prices will be reassessed closer to harvest and after considering the market prices and factors at that time,” he said.
Speaking at last year’s post-harvest oilseed indaba, which ran under the theme: “Positioning the Oil Seed Value Chain for Growth and Profitability,” and hosted by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), Mr Murdoch revealed that there was need to address the high cost of production, lack of funding and low output price for self-sufficiency.
“A hectare of soya bean costs an average of US$1 518. The break-even yield is 2,8 tonnes per hectare and the break-even price is US$506 per tonne,” he said then.
With the elevated price of US$619,31 per tonne, farmers’ net revenue is expected to increase.
Meanwhile, an A2 producer of maize and soya bean who preferred anonymity, questioned the timing of the announcement of the prices, saying it would not change the situation on the ground, as the season is already mid-way through.
“These prices could have influenced production choices and may have led to increased planting of different crops if they had been announced before the season started.
“Now there is nothing a farmer can do but only improve on good agronomic practices for enhanced yields,” he said.
daniel chigunwe
