Zimbabwe’s 2026 Harvest: A National Food Security Improvement Amidst Regional Variations. Harare, Zimbabwe – The upcoming 2026 harvest in Zimbabwe is anticipated to modestly enhance national food security, as assessed by the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET). Despite the expected improvement, the impact is projected to be uneven, with certain regions experiencing only temporary relief from food insecurity.
The harvest, which commences in April, is expected to yield Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes in deficit-producing areas through September 2026. This phase indicates that while food security is under stress, access to food is limited for some people in certain areas.
However, minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes are forecasted in typical surplus-producing areas, where households are expected to meet their food and non-food needs through the same period.
The agricultural season in 2025/26 was marred by excessive rainfall and a prolonged dry spell in some regions, leading to below-average harvests and prompting households in affected areas to deplete their food stocks early.
The subsequent reliance on other food sources, including market purchases, has increased, though this trend is not expected to be as pronounced in surplus areas.
The surge in fuel and fertilizer prices is anticipated to drive up the costs of basic food items and services, further constraining the access of poor households to food and non — food necessities in both rural and urban settings. Despite the government’s measures to mitigate fuel price increases, the upward trajectory of costs is likely to persist. Economic pressures are also evident in the below-average crop sales in areas hit by adverse weather conditions and the expected decline in seasonal labor opportunities.
Conversely, favorable water and pasture conditions are predicted to support above — average livestock conditions and income generation through activities such as horticulture, brick making, and construction.
The Zimbabwean government is reported to be maintaining adequate grain reserves and planning to boost winter wheat production.
The World Food Program and the FAO caution, however, that the uneven distribution of the harvest may necessitate increased reliance on market purchases, potentially exacerbating food insecurity in certain areas.
The international community is urged to remain vigilant, supporting measures to sustain the gains made during the harvest.
The World Bank’s Quarterly Food Security Update highlights that while global agricultural prices have been easing, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has introduced new risks, including disruptions in oil and fertilizer flows, which could lead to increased acute hunger.
As Zimbabwe braces for the 2026 harvest, the national and international community must collaborate to ensure that the improvements in food security are not overshadowed by localized crop losses and the ongoing challenge of high prices, particularly for vulnerable populations.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
—
This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: Famine Early Warning System Network
