ZIMBABWE’s foodstuff production grew a paltry 2,32%, year-on-year during the second quarter, leaving most of the population hungry owing to the effects of the El Niño-induced drought.
The drought experienced during the 2023/24 agricultural season had a devastating effect across the sector as it significantly reduced crop output.
In August, the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 7,6 million Zimbabweans were at risk of acute hunger as a result of the El Niño phenomenon.
As a result of this reduced output, the World Food Programme estimates that six million Zimbabweans are expected to be food insecure during the peak of the 2024/25 lean season from January to March.
“The output index for foodstuffs for second quarter 2024 was 116,25, reflecting a 2,32% increase in production when compared to 113,55 for second quarter 2023,” the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) said in its recenty-released Volume of the Manufacturing Index Second Quarter 2024 Report.
This growth, while an increase, signals the need for substantial investments and reforms in agriculture to achieve sustainable food security and resilience, amid climate change.
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“The drinks, beverages and tobacco production index for second quarter 2024 was 191,39. The year-on-year index increased by 45,53% from the 131,51 recorded in second quarter 2023,” ZimStat said.
The report covers the period from the first quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2024.
The report is an economic indicator that shows relative changes in the volume of output in the manufacturing sector over time, in relation to a given reference period.
Overall manufacturing sector output for the second quarter of 2024 stood at 135,24, up from 113,65 in the same period last year.
This reflected a year-on-year percentage increase of 19%.
“The textiles sub-sector recorded an output index of 60,31 in second quarter 2024 compared to 55,67 in second quarter 2023, resulting in a year-on-year percentage increase of 8,33,” ZimStat said.
“The second quarter 2024 output index for the clothing and footwear sub-sector was 122,83, translating to a year-on-year percentage increase of 3,11 from 119,12 recorded in second quarter 2023.”
ZimStat said the output index for the paper, printing and packaging sub-sector was 39, down from 205,63 in the second quarter 2023, resulting in a year-on-year decrease of 81,03%.
Meanwhile, the output index for chemicals and petroleum products was 99,39, resulting in a year-on-year percentage increase of 90,33% when compared to 52,22 recorded in the second quarter of 2023.
“The index for non-metallic mineral products was 164,92 for second quarter 2024, depicting a 27,90% year-on-year increase from 128,94 recorded in second quarter 2023,” ZimStat said.
“The second quarter 2024 production index for metals and metal products was 138,85, recording a year-on-year percentage decrease of 7,63 in comparison to the second quarter 2023 value of 150,33.”
Also, ZimStat said the second quarter 2024 output index for the transport and transport equipment sub-sector was 54,7, down from 112,83 in second quarter of 2023, resulting in a year-on-year decrease in the index of 51,52%.