Highlights

COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe have increased from 149 cases reported at the end of May to 985 cases by the 13
th of July 2020. This is an indication that the country has not yet reached its peak. Although some restrictive
measures have been relaxed, business is still low and households require more time to recover.  

The year on year inflation increased from 766% in April to 787% in May 2020, while the month-on-month inflation decreased from 18% in April to 15% in May 2020. Food remains the main driver of inflation estimated at 954% in May 2020, an indication of increased vulnerabilities. 

Winter cropping season started in May and according to the Ministry of Agriculture by end of June 2020, the 
area planted to winter wheat was recorded as 37,708Ha. The early planted wheat crop was reported to be at
late vegetative (stem elongation) stages. The late planted crop was at early vegetative (tilling stages). The wheat
crop condition was reported to be ranging from fair to good in all provinces. 

Maize grain availability remains poor due to a combination of factors including the poor 2019/2020 harvest, lack of foreign currency to import adequate maize grain quantities and slow movement of trade due to COVID-19 pandemic and restrictive measures to contain the spread of the disease. 
 
Prices of basic food commodities increased by an average of 22% over the month of June 2020, with maize grain recording the highest percentage increase of 122%, a good indicator of supply shortages. These price increases are against a backdrop of decreasing income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic challenges.