Zimbabwe plans to establish a $500 million reserve to address the consequences of El Niño on food security.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced on Wednesday, October 14, that preparations were underway for this mechanism, which is expected to be included in the 2027 budget, due in November.
This allocation will be divided into two components: $250 million in cash and an additional $250 million earmarked for grain purchases. The objective is to enable the government to quickly mobilize financial resources and food stocks in the event of a poor harvest.
The authorities anticipate a decline in national maize production to 1.6 million tonnes in 2027, nearly 30% less than in 2026. This forecast remains concerning given the country’s annual requirements, estimated at approximately 2.2 million tonnes, including 400,000 tonnes intended for animal feed.
Faced with the climate threat, the government had already introduced several preventive measures. On August 4, Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka set a target of 450,000 tonnes in strategic reserves to be reached by the end of 2026. According to Mthuli Ncube, approximately 200,000 tonnes of maize had already been purchased from local producers to strengthen these stocks.
The government also announced on October 2 the removal of customs duties on certain food products to facilitate imports in the event of shortages. However, the products concerned, the duration of the measure, and its implementation procedures have not been specified.
Beyond food security risks, the El Niño phenomenon also poses threats to the country’s economic outlook. Zimbabwe has therefore revised its growth forecast for 2027 downward to 3.5%, from the previous 5%, due to the expected impact on the agricultural sector.
In its budget policy statement published on July 30, the Treasury had already identified El Niño-related drought as a major risk to harvests, rural incomes, and hydroelectric power generation.
To limit these effects, the authorities intend to prioritize preparedness, the strengthening of strategic reserves, the distribution of agricultural inputs, and assistance to vulnerable households. The proposed $500 million reserve is therefore part of a strategy aimed at better preparing the country for a potential food crisis.