Zimbabwe Edges Toward Cutting Wheat Imports as Hard Wheat Trials Show Major Success

Zimbabwe is making significant strides toward reducing its dependence on hard wheat imports, following promising results from ongoing national trials aimed at boosting local production of the grain used in bread-making.

The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has concluded four consecutive years of testing new hard wheat varieties, and early indications show that the country may soon be ready for full-scale commercial production. Seed producers have also developed varieties that meet the baking industry’s stringent protein and gluten standards.

ARDA Chief Executive Officer Tinotenda Mhiko said the trials have consistently delivered strong results, demonstrating the potential to transform Zimbabwe’s wheat value chain.

“We have been trialling this variety for four years, and the performance has remained consistent,” he said. “It is a white-grained variety suitable for bakery products, with protein levels reaching up to 17 percent in high-altitude areas and gluten content at 37.6 percent. The elastic gluten formed during milling gives the strength needed for bread, improving loaf volume and texture. Once trials are completed, this will be a game changer in our quest for food self-sufficiency under NDS1.”

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr. Anxious Masuka said the breakthrough should trigger national conversations about the country’s wheat import bill.

“Zimbabwe mainly produces soft wheat, while bread-making requires hard wheat, which is the type we import,” he said. “When we talk about wheat imports, we are referring to hard wheat.”

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr. Jenfan Muswere said the country is building on the momentum of a record breaking winter wheat season.

“Harvesting has been completed, with 640,195 metric tonnes realised from 122,146 hectares at an average yield of 5.2 tonnes per hectare,” he said. “ARDA is now conducting trials for a hard wheat variety. Meanwhile, 47,709 tonnes of barley have been harvested from 6,156 hectares.”

Zimbabwe currently imports hard wheat from countries such as Russia and Canada, which accounts for about 30 percent of the wheat required for bread production.

With successful trials pointing toward viable local production, officials say the shift could reshape the agriculture sector, strengthen food security and reduce the foreign currency burden associated with wheat imports.