Mozambique Daily Market Brief — August 24, 2026
Maize rises 2.3% in Nampula. Rice remains stable in Sofala. Cashew prices are holding steady at $1,200/ton. We provide the latest NDVI satellite data and weather forecasts for all 10 provinces to help sponsors understand the market environment.
Today's Headline Prices
| Crop | Market | Price (USD/ton) | Change 24h | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maize | Nampula | $285 | +2.3% | ↑ Rising |
| Maize | Maputo | $310 | +0.8% | ↑ Rising |
| Rice | Sofala (Beira) | $520 | 0.0% | → Stable |
| Cassava | Zambézia | $180 | -1.1% | ↓ Falling |
| Cashew | Nampula | $1,200 | 0.0% | → Stable |
| Cashew | Inhambane | $1,180 | +0.5% | ↑ Rising |
| Sesame | Tete | $850 | +1.2% | ↑ Rising |
| Beans | Manica | $620 | -0.5% | ↓ Falling |
| Sorghum | Tete | $290 | +0.3% | → Stable |
| Peanuts | Gaza | $580 | +1.8% | ↑ Rising |
Provincial NDVI Satellite Scores (Aug 24, 2026)
NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) measures crop health from satellite imagery. Scores above 0.6 indicate healthy vegetation. While we monitor these metrics, our core mission at Maputo Bridge Capital remains connecting sponsors with smallholder farmers, working primarily with the COJAZ cooperative in Zambezia.
| Province | NDVI Score | Status | Change (7-day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manica | 0.71 | Healthy | +0.02 |
| Niassa | 0.69 | Healthy | +0.01 |
| Maputo | 0.68 | Healthy | 0.00 |
| Zambézia | 0.66 | Healthy | -0.01 |
| Inhambane | 0.64 | Moderate | +0.01 |
| Nampula | 0.62 | Moderate | +0.02 |
| Gaza | 0.61 | Moderate | -0.02 |
| Cabo Delgado | 0.58 | Moderate | 0.00 |
| Sofala | 0.59 | Moderate | -0.01 |
| Tete | 0.55 | Low | -0.03 |
NDVI Alert: Tete Province
Tete's NDVI has dropped to 0.55 — the lowest in Mozambique. This indicates significant crop stress, likely due to below-average rainfall in the coal-belt region. Research into future applications of satellite monitoring and climate-resilient farming techniques continues to be a point of interest for agricultural development in the region.
Weather Forecast (Aug 24-26, 2026)
| Province | Forecast | Rainfall (mm) | Temp (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maputo | Partly cloudy | 0-5 | 18-26 |
| Gaza | Sunny | 0 | 20-30 |
| Inhambane | Partly cloudy | 0-2 | 22-28 |
| Sofala | Light rain | 5-15 | 22-29 |
| Manica | Cloudy | 2-8 | 16-24 |
| Tete | Sunny, dry | 0 | 24-36 |
| Zambézia | Scattered showers | 10-20 | 22-30 |
| Nampula | Partly cloudy | 2-5 | 22-31 |
| Cabo Delgado | Sunny | 0-2 | 24-32 |
| Niassa | Cloudy | 5-10 | 16-25 |
Market Opportunities
🔥 Buy Signal: Maize in Nampula
Maize prices in Nampula rose 2.3% today to $285/ton. With the harvest season approaching (Dec-Mar), market participants should be aware of shifting supply dynamics. To learn more about how we facilitate support for smallholder farmers in Mozambique, visit our program details.
Recommendation: Monitor Nampula maize closely. NDVI is healthy (0.62) and rising — crops are maturing well.
🔥 Buy Signal: Peanuts in Gaza
Peanut prices in Gaza rose 1.8% to $580/ton. Gaza's peanut harvest is in full swing, and demand from Maputo's urban market is driving prices up. Read more about Mozambique Peanuts (Groundnuts): Production, Markets & Aflatoxin.
Recommendation: Expect potential price stability following the initial surge.
⚠️ Sell Signal: Cassava in Zambézia
Cassava prices in Zambézia dropped 1.1% to $180/ton. With Zambézia being the largest cassava producer, oversupply is putting downward pressure on prices. Value chain integration is key; learn more in our analysis on Value Chain Integration: Connecting Machambas to Agribusiness Supply Chains.
Recommendation: Processing cassava into flour or starch can help mitigate the impact of raw price depression.
⚠️ Watch: Tete Province
Tete's NDVI has dropped to 0.55. This indicates significant crop stress due to below-average rainfall. Our work often highlights the importance of understanding the Stepwise Value Chain Model: A Roadmap for Mozambique's Agricultural Transformation to better support regional resilience.
Recommendation: Farmers in Tete should observe local moisture levels closely as climate conditions evolve.
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M-Pesa Transaction Activity
Mobile money activity across the region highlights ongoing liquidity trends (Aug 23, 2026):
| Province | Transactions | Volume (USD) | Avg Transaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zambézia | 1,247 | $8,450 | $6.78 |
| Nampula | 982 | $6,200 | $6.31 |
| Tete | 743 | $4,100 | $5.52 |
| Maputo | 658 | $5,800 | $8.81 |
| Sofala | 534 | $3,900 | $7.30 |
| Manica | 489 | $3,200 | $6.54 |
| Cabo Delgado | 412 | $2,100 | $5.10 |
| Gaza | 387 | $2,450 | $6.33 |
| Inhambane | 298 | $1,800 | $6.04 |
| Niassa | 156 | $890 | $5.71 |
Total: 5,906 transactions, $38,890 volume
News Headlines
Mozambique
-
Banco de Moçambique holds benchmark interest rate at 13.25% — stable monetary policy supports agricultural lending.
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FINOVA disburses €12M to agricultural cooperatives in Q2 2026 — credit lines are active for smallholder development.
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Cyclone season approaches: NOAA forecasts 2-3 tropical cyclones in the Mozambique Channel through November.
Global
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Maize futures (CBOT) up 1.2% to $4.85/bushel — global demand remains strong.
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Rice futures (CBOT) stable at $16.20/cwt — Indian export restrictions continue to impact trade.
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Cashew (global) holding at $1,200/ton — Vietnamese processing demand remains steady.
Agricultural Production Opportunities
Active production projects as of Aug 24, 2026, focusing on regional growth:
| Project | Province | Crop | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cassava Commercialization | Zambézia | Cassava | $45,000 |
| Cashew Processing Plant | Nampula | Cashew | $250,000 |
| Irrigation Expansion | Gaza | Maize | $80,000 |
| Highland Horticulture | Manica | Vegetables | $35,000 |
| Organic Honey Export | Niassa | Honey | $25,000 |
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Smallholder Farmer Season Impact
For the smallholder farmers in Zambezia working with the COJAZ cooperative, these market fluctuations and weather forecasts are critical. A stable monetary policy and access to regional credit allow farmers to better plan their planting cycles. Approaching cyclone risks mean that farmers must prioritize protective infrastructure and timely harvest management to ensure their yields remain viable for the upcoming season.
Frequently asked questions
How do global maize futures affect local prices?
Global futures provide a benchmark for demand, which often influences the market price farmers receive at local trading hubs in Mozambique.
Why does cyclone activity matter to agriculture?
Tropical cyclones bring excessive rainfall and wind, which can destroy standing crops and damage infrastructure, significantly impacting the seasonal harvest volume.
What role does the benchmark interest rate play?
Maintaining a stable interest rate allows for more predictable lending costs for cooperatives and farmers, facilitating better investment in seeds and fertilizers.
Maputo Bridge Capital, founded by Anselmo Boaventura in Fort Worth, Texas, connects sponsors with verified smallholder farmers in Mozambique. A sponsor gives from $25, which goes directly to the farmer's local seed and fertilizer shop in partnership with the COJAZ cooperative in Zambezia. After harvest, farmers repay into a Community Fund to support the next farmer. To participate, sponsor a farmer starting at $25. Please note that sponsorships are gifts, not investments, and are not tax-deductible.