ZIMBABWE’S citrus export earnings rose by 69 percent from US$1,3 million to US$2,2 million in the first four months of this year.
This comes as the harvesting of oranges countrywide has intensified.
Recent statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) show that in volume terms citrus product exports surged 90 percent from 5,06 million to 9,6 million kilogrammes.
Citrus product grouping comprises fresh or dried oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, including pomelos, lemons and limes, citrus fruit, unfermented frozen and unfrozen orange juice, grapefruit juices and other single fruit juices.
Grapefruit, including pomelos, was the main driver of the growth after its volume rose 205 percent to 3, 8 million kg from 1,3 million kg while in value terms it surged 197 percent to US$617 509 from US$208 000.
Lemons and limes were the other major drivers after surging 77 percent from 2,8 million kg to 4,9 million in value terms, rose 154 percent from US$352 348 to US$893 670.
Unfermented and unfrozen orange juice earnings, however, dropped 10 percent to US$688 888 from US$761 825.
The same trend was exhibited by oranges, whose value dropped 13 percent from US$17 768 to US$15 486.
Meanwhile, the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) revealed on X that citrus harvesting and processing for export had intensified across the country’s major citrus areas.
“From orchard to export market, Zimbabwean citrus is heading to the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK) and Malaysia, with new markets emerging in East Africa and Eastern Europe.
“At Nottingham Estate near Beitbridge, over 1 000 people are employed, nearly half of them women,” said the HDC.
The HDC said they were aiming to double the citrus area from the current 4 000ha to 8 000ha by 2030, subject to an investment of US$48 million to create 24 000 new jobs.
According to the Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment 2 (CLAFA 2) report, new investments and favourable market opportunities drove growth in orange production, which is expected to rise 18 percent to 222 138 tonnes in the 2025/26 season from 188 960 tonnes in the 2024/25 season.
This is as a result of a joint 10 percent increase in area from 4 724ha to 5 166ha and an eight percent in yield from 40 to 43 tonnes per ha.
Lemon and lime output is also anticipated to rise 11 percent from 6 726 to 7 462 tonnes, a result of a two percent increase in area from 177ha to 182ha and an eight percent increase in yield from 38 to 41 tonnes per ha.
According to the national agriculture roadmap, the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2), covering the period 2026-2030, Zimbabwe’s citrus industry was previously a critical agricultural sub-sector, serving as a significant source of foreign exchange, employment and rural development.
“Primarily focused on exports, the industry is renowned for its high-quality oranges (Navel and Valencia), soft citrus (mandarins, clementines), lemons and grapefruit.
“The citrus value chain is projected to increase from 347 000 tonnes in the 2025/2026 season to 482 000 tonnes by 2030/2031, with its gross value increasing from US$576 million to US$925 million by 2030,” AFSRTS 2 reads.-herald
