Zimbabwe’s $93.9 Million Maize-Import Saving Is Already at Risk from El Niño

email facebook linkedin twitter Whatsapp Zimbabwe cut its maize import bill by $93.9 million in the first seven months of 2026 after a stronger domestic harvest reduced purchases from abroad The government now expects total grain production to fall to about 1.6 million tons in 2026/27 from roughly 2.74 million tons in the previous season, a decline of about 42% On September 16, the government approved increased grain imports by the private sector as below-normal rainfall threatens to reverse part of the foreign-exchange savings achieved since 2025 Zimbabwe’s government on September 16 approved increased grain imports by private companies as it prepares for below-normal rainfall in the 2026/27 growing season, putting at risk some of the savings generated by lower maize purchases abroad.