Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa has announced that the country has projected a 4.9 million metric tonnes harvest of maize for the 2025/2026 farming season.
Mr Kangwa said the projection is an increase from last year’s production of 3.8 million metric tonnes of maize, indicating a 27.8 percent increment from last season.
He made the announcement when he officiated at the dissemination of the 2025/2026 Crop Forecasting Survey results meeting, in Lusaka.
“I am happy to announce that for the 2025/2026 agriculture season, the Crop Forecasting Survey indicates a total national maize output of five million metric tonnes, from this projection, a total of 4.9 metric tonnes is an allocation of maize grain, while the remaining 182, 311 metric tonnes is an allocation for maize seed.
“This output presents a 29.3 percent increase in maize production compared to previous agriculture seasons. Specifically, maize grain increased by 27.8 percent, rising from 3.9 million metric tonnes in the 2024/2025 agriculture season to 4.9 million metric tonnes this farming season,”Mr Kangwa said.
And Permanent Secretary for Technical Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, John Mulongoti explained that the Crop Focus Survey results represent the hard work, resilience and determination of farmers across the country, adding that farmers continue to contribute to national food security.
Speaking at the same event, Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) Statistician General, Sheila Mudenda said the results are critical for assessing national food availability, supporting food security interventions and strengthening estimates of agriculture’s contribution to the economy.
Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) Research Associate, Maimbo Hamboobe, pointed out that there is an expected increased supply in most countries in Southern Africa due to projected strong output and high carry over stock, with many countries expecting consecutive bumper harvests supported by favourable weather.
Meanwhile, Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) President, Andrew Chintala, said with the expected bumper harvest announced today, he is eager to see the market beginning to react according to expectations of players in the food value chain.
