Zimbabwe’s Horticultural Exports to China Surge with US$12 Million Earned in 2025
Zimbabwe’s horticultural sector is blossoming on the global stage, with the country earning a remarkable US$11.62 million from exports to China in 2025, largely driven by macadamia nuts. This impressive growth highlights Zimbabwe’s expanding access to high-value niche markets under newly established trade protocols, signalling promising opportunities for farmers, exporters, and the national economy alike.
Growing access to China’s lucrative market
The Chinese Embassy recently confirmed that several Zimbabwean horticultural products—including citrus, avocados, and blueberries—have secured or are in progression toward finalising export protocols, enabling them to reach an expanding number of consumers across China. This development builds on China’s zero-tariff treatment policy, effective from May 1, 2026, which covers 53 African countries, Zimbabwe among them. The policy is stimulating Chinese buyers’ keen interest in local farms, creating direct linkages for exporting fresh and premium produce to the Chinese market.
Facilitating trade through Zimbabwe-China horticulture engagement
To strengthen this trade momentum, ZimTrade is organising a three-day Zimbabwe-China Horticulture Buyers’ Engagement from April 8 to 10 in Mutare. The event will bring together Zimbabwean exporters and Chinese horticulture importers and distributors to explore business opportunities, showcase production capacity, and discuss export readiness.
Danai Majaha, Communications Manager at ZimTrade, shared that the participating Chinese delegation comprises fresh produce importers, supermarket retailers, fruit distribution companies, agricultural investors, and food processors, all eager to forge new supply arrangements with Zimbabwean producers.
The engagement focuses on several horticultural products that have been granted market access or are in the process of doing so. These include avocados, macadamia nuts, blueberries, pecan nuts, chilli, and sesame—products that not only have excellent export potential but also provide income diversification opportunities for smallholder farmers and youth entrepreneurs.
Expanding Zimbabwe’s fresh produce horizon in China
Zimbabwe and China have developed robust trade ties underpinned by diplomatic goodwill and economic cooperation. In recent years, multiple bilateral agreements have paved the way for fresh produce exports, starting with the 2022 citrus trade protocol. This pact opened avenues for citrus varieties such as sweet orange, mandarin, grapefruit, lemon, and sour orange grown primarily by smallholder farmers under irrigation schemes like Shashi. The Chinese General Administration of Customs also approved registered Zimbabwean orchards and packhouses, guaranteeing compliance with China’s strict phytosanitary and food safety requirements.
Further advancements include the signing of protocols for phytosanitary standards on avocados during President Mnangagwa and Xi Jinping’s meeting at the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, and the blueberry export protocol launched in the same year. These agreements underscore Zimbabwe’s commitment to upgrading its regulatory frameworks, quality assurance, and export capacity.
Zimbabwe-China trade: a growing powerhouse
China has emerged as Zimbabwe’s third-largest export market, with bilateral trade volumes more than doubling over the past decade. Official data from ZimTrade reveal that exports hit US$2.44 billion in 2024, representing a 218 percent increase since 2015. Imports from China also rose to US$1.4 billion, up 151 percent over the same period. Zimbabwe maintains a significant trade surplus exceeding US$1 billion, primarily due to exports of tobacco, minerals, iron and steel alloys, and macadamia nuts, while importing machinery, vehicles, and tyres.
The growing Chinese demand for healthy, traceable, and high-quality produce offers Zimbabwean farmers and exporters huge prospects. Blueberries, heralded as a superfood, have performed exceptionally well, with Zimbabwe’s production growing at a compound annual growth rate of 38.4 percent over the last five years. This has yielded earnings of US$56.6 million from blueberry exports in 2024, testifying to the crop’s potential as a game-changer for the horticulture sector.
A Zimbabwean farmer’s success story
In the Eastern Highlands near Mutare, farmer Marjory Chikozho has become a beacon of success through her diversified horticultural enterprise. Once reliant on traditional maize farming, Marjory has transformed her farm by integrating avocado, macadamia, and blueberry cultivation. With support from local agricultural extension services and partnerships fostered through ZimTrade’s engagement programmes, she now exports high-quality produce directly to Chinese buyers.
“The direct access to the Chinese market has allowed me not only to increase my income but also to employ and train local youth and women in modern farming methods and postharvest handling,” she shares. Her story emphasises the critical role that market access and supportive trade policies play in uplifting communities while aligning with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which prioritises inclusive economic growth and agricultural development.
Looking ahead: opportunities and challenges
The horticulture sector’s evolving relationship with China is a template for Zimbabwe’s broader agricultural export ambitions. Continued investments in quality control, sustainable farming, and infrastructure will be vital to capitalising on these gains. There is also room to expand the range of exportable crops, empower women and youth through targeted initiatives, and ensure compliance with international food safety standards.
Furthermore, the planned engagements and transparent dialogue between Zimbabwean exporters and Chinese buyers are crucial for adapting to market trends and demand patterns. Zimbabwe’s ability to deliver consistently on quality, traceability, and volume will determine its foothold in China’s competitive market.
As Zimbabwe joins the ranks of top African horticultural exporters to China, the sector exemplifies how strategic trade partnerships, sound policy frameworks, and proactive farmer involvement can transform agriculture into a prosperous, future-ready industry.
FFA Explainer:
Horticulture involves the cultivation of fruits, nuts, vegetables, and ornamental plants. It plays a critical role in food security, export earnings, and rural livelihoods by providing diverse income sources and employment opportunities.
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