Zim GBC News Editor
BULAWAYO – Blue Ribbon Foods, Zimbabwe’s second-largest milling company, has suspended operations at its Bulawayo plant due to a severe shortage of maize, raising concerns about food security and contradicting government claims of a national grain surplus.
The production halt, confirmed on Monday, has left silos empty and workers in limbo, highlighting a growing crisis in the country’s grain supply chain.
Nqabutho Mkhize, Blue Ribbon’s Sales Coordinator for Matabeleland North, stood before the idle facility and stated:
“We have seven silos outside that hold about 180 tonnes each. They have all been empty since April. We are wondering when they will actually have full capacity again.”
At full operation, the plant runs two shifts daily, employing 34 workers per shift and producing up to 60 tonnes of maize meal. However, production has been silent for months since the last maize consignment was milled.
“Right now, all we can do is hope that the situation changes soon so that we return to normal production,” Mkhize added.
“Our workers are hanging in the balance.”
The shutdown contrasts sharply with government assurances. In May, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared Zimbabwe was poised for a “bumper harvest,” while Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka cited a cereal harvest of 2.9 million tonnes against a national requirement of 2.2 million tonnes.
David Moyo, chairperson of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) Southern Region, described the stark reality:
“We used to get maize locally, easily. Now it is hard to fill even a 30-tonne truck. Some days, all we get is two or three 50kg bags. It can take a whole week just to fill one tonne truck.”
The government’s June ban on maize imports, based on reported surplus figures, has exacerbated the situation. Several other milling companies, including Sunset Marketing, National Foods, Mathokozisi Milling, and Bulateke Milling, have downsized operations or laid off workers.
Trade analyst Jacques Pieener of Commodity Insight Africa warned:
“If the government does not move with speed to reopen the borders for grain imports, the country will be in the throes of a shortage within weeks. The continued delay is political.”
Moyo appealed for urgent intervention:
“We are asking those in charge to help fill the gap. We don’t want to shut down permanently. We want to feed the nation.”
The continued closure of milling plants threatens urban food security, risks massive job losses, and could trigger skyrocketing mealie meal prices amid already high inflation and unemployment.
Follow Zim GBC News on Social Media:
· X (Twitter): @ZimGbc
· Instagram: @ZimGBCNews
· TikTok: @ZimGBCNews_01
· Facebook: Zim GBC News
· YouTube: Zim GBC News
Get real-time alerts on WhatsApp:
+263 773 820 323
For in-depth coverage, visit our website: www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
Zim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective©2025