Zimbabwe is heading into a worsening food insecurity crisis, with vulnerable communities projected to slip into critical conditions during the peak lean season from December to March, according to a new report by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET).
The Zimbabwe Food Security Outlook Update said poor households in deficit‑producing regions – including Matabeleland North and South, Masvingo, Manicaland, Midlands and northern Mashonaland – are expected to struggle to access adequate food until the next harvest in April 2026.
FEWS NET warned that more families are expected to face crisis‑level hunger before conditions ease with the arrival of the main harvest.
“Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected to expand in early 2026 as an increasing number of households face difficulty accessing food,” the update said.
“With grain stocks low or unavailable on the market in some areas, many poor households will likely face challenges purchasing staple cereal, mainly maize meal, due to below-average purchasing power.”
Zimbabwe’s lean season, typically marked by depleted stocks and reliance on market purchases, is expected to be particularly severe this year.
According to FEWS NET, millions of Zimbabweans remain food‑insecure, with the situation likely to deteriorate further in the coming months.
While the April harvest may bring temporary relief, the outlook points to continued vulnerability unless broader structural challenges in agriculture and climate resilience are addressed.
JN/APA