Crops
ZAMBIA CROP PRODUCTION KEY FIGURES
| 2025/2026 Maize Harvest | 2031 Maize Target | 2031 Soybean Target | 2031 Wheat Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4,937,605 Mt | 10 million Mt | 3 million Mt | 1 million Mt |
Zambia’s 2025/2026 maize harvest is projected at 4,937,605 metric tonnes, the highest ever recorded in the country’s history, as the government pursues 2031 targets of 10 million metric tonnes of maize, 3 million metric tonnes of soybeans and 1 million metric tonnes of wheat annually.
Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa attributed back-to-back record harvests to favourable weather, timely input distribution and targeted interventions under the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme, with the 2025/2026 Crop Forecasting Survey also finding increased production of rice, soybeans and wheat.
Record Harvests
Zambia’s maize harvest for the 2025/2026 season is projected at 4,937,605 metric tonnes, the highest maize production ever recorded in the country’s history, exceeding the previous season’s record output of 3.9 million metric tonnes[1]. The 2025/2026 Crop Forecasting Survey results also indicate increased production levels in other key crops including rice, soybeans and wheat[1].
Production Targets
Secretary to the Cabinet Kangwa expressed confidence that Zambia is on course to achieve national agricultural targets of 10 million metric tonnes of maize, 3 million metric tonnes of soybeans, and 1 million metric tonnes of wheat annually by 2031, to be pursued through policy reforms, expanded irrigation investment, mechanisation, enhanced access to finance and improved extension services[1].
Investment Opportunities
Kangwa said the 2025/2026 season’s cereal and tuber food balance sheet shows Zambia will record an overall surplus for the 2026/2027 marketing season, and urged farmers and private sector players to take advantage of the anticipated bumper harvest and emerging regional export opportunities, while cautioning that meteorological projections point to a higher likelihood of below-average rainfall in the 2026/2027 farming season[1], detailed further on the dedicated Agriculture and Maize pages.
Last Update: September 2026
