Zimbabwe wheat demand is outpacing bakeries
Zimbabwe’s wheat sector has transformed, with 2025 consumption reaching 614,000–615,000 tonnes and production surging over 540% since 2019 to 640,195 tonnes. Rising incomes and urbanisation are driving demand for bread, pasta, and pastries. Improved local varieties reduce import reliance, while government policies support food security and domestic self-sufficiency.
Zimbabwe has reached a historic turning point in its relationship with wheat, with national consumption for 2025 estimated at between 614,000 and 615,000 tonnes. The surge reflects a broader dietary shift, as “wheat sadza” has gained popularity alongside maize and indigenous small grains, signaling changing food preferences across the country.
Wheat production has grown dramatically, rising by more than 540 percent from approximately 94,000–100,000 tonnes in 2019 to 640,195 tonnes in 2025. This growth, driven by consistent government support under the Second Republic, has moved Zimbabwe into self-sufficiency territory for soft wheat, reducing the country’s historical dependence on imports.
Industry experts predict that wheat consumption will continue to rise in 2026, reaching around 650,000 tonnes, cementing wheat as the second most widely consumed starch in the country after maize. Reneth Mano, an agricultural analyst, noted that wheat is no longer just a raw material for bread. Rising incomes and urbanisation have made products like pasta, noodles, biscuits, and savory pastries everyday staples, contributing to the “big jump” in national demand.
Commercial needs for bread and pastries are estimated at 550,000 tonnes, with farmers retaining an additional 64,000 tonnes for seed and household use. Per capita wheat consumption rose to 28.38kg in 2025, up from 24.88kg in 2015, reflecting the growing importance of wheat in Zimbabwean diets.
In policy terms, the government adopted a wheat-based food security approach in 2024 during a severe drought, diverting 174,000 tonnes of local wheat for social welfare distribution while temporarily suspending the 70:30 blending requirement to allow private sector imports. This approach underlines Zimbabwe’s commitment to strengthening domestic wheat production and ensuring food security amid evolving consumption patterns.
The combination of record production, changing diets, and supportive policies signals a new era for wheat in Zimbabwe, positioning the country to meet both domestic needs and reduce import dependency in the years ahead.
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Source : Bulawayo24
