Zambia: Zambia's Record Corn Production Reshapes Food Security Amid Election-Year Dynamics

Zambia is set for a record corn harvest in marketing year 2026/27, driven by favorable La Niña rainfall, a more efficient rollout of the Farmer Input Support Program, and the long-term Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Program. The bumper crop has allowed the government to fully lift export bans, opening opportunities for exports to neighboring countries, though export competition from South Africa and a cautious food-security stance are pushing corn ending stocks to a record level. Ahead of the general elections, the Food Reserve Agency raised farmer purchase prices and ensured fast payments while keeping retail prices affordable for consumers. This surplus, paired with a broader economic recovery and easing inflation, marks a strong turnaround from the prior year's drought-driven shortages, even as Zambia maintains its strict ban on commercial genetically engineered corn cultivation.