Zambian Maize Outlook Report and Regional Analysis-2024/2025

During the 2023/2024 agricultural season, Zambia was projected to record a decrease in maize production, reaching 1,511,143 metric ton (Mt), representing a 53.7% reduction from the 2022/2023 projection of 3.3 million Mt. This decrease can be attributed, to a large part, to the unfavorable weather experienced in most parts of the country, despite the expansion of the maize cultivated area which grew by 16.5% to reach 2,209,160 hectares from about 1.9 million hectares in the previous
season. Zambia’s production was 53.7% lower than the previous year and the deficit was significantly high at 1,323,288 Mt compared to previous season which had a surplus of 470,379 Mt and the historical 5-year average of 727,000 Mt. The 2024/2025 marketing year (MY) was marked by atypically high price rise for maize grain and mealie meal due to the unavailability of the commodity. While it was anticipated that there would be low maize supply on the market, the country opened the 2024/2025 MY with low carryover stocks of about 408,679 Mt, compared to 450,891 Mt in the preceding season.