Anxiety grips market as drought looms

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WITH normal to below normal rainfall expected in the 2023-24 summer season, analysts fear this poses a serious threat to the economy going into next year but hope efforts to capacitate farmers in time for production will minimise the impact.
This comes after a significant rebound in the production of major crops such as wheat, tobacco, maize and horticulture produce though the latter is largely secured by irrigation.
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube has projected growth of 5,3 percent in 2023 on account of strong performance in agriculture, ICT, accommodation, and food services, as well as improvements in the electricity supply situation, following the successful synchronisation and subsequent commercialisation of Hwange 7 and 8 units.