Citrus exports, an entry point into lucrative Chinese market

Farmers and economists have urged local farmers to set eyes on producing more for the lucrative Chinese market after Zimbabwean orchards and packhouses were granted permission to export citrus to the Asian giant.

Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) chief executive officer, Sam Miller, said the country should take this as an entry point for more agro products to enter into the territory.

“China has approved imports of fresh citrus from Zimbabwe. From July 1, 2023 oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, lemons and limes which have undergone cold treatment can be sold in China and this should be seen as an entry point to give the market more of our products provided we meet requirements,” he said.

China has been a net importer of agricultural products since 2004 and today, it imports more of these products including soybean, corn, wheat, rice and dairy products than any other country.

Economist Dr Prosper Chitambara, said the approval to export citrus to China broadens Zimbabwe’s export markets and helps in diversifying from traditional markets.

“With China consuming over 54 million tonnes of citrus annually, the Chinese market presents a huge export potential for Zimbabwe’s citrus farmers and we should look to send more products to the country in the medium term and milk should be high on the agenda as it is a low hanging fruit,” he said.

According to reports, changing diet patterns have also driven up China’s imports of edible oils, sugar, meat and processed foods.

Orchards and packhouses that plan to export to China, must be registered with the Ministry of Land, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development and approved by China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC).

Agronomist, Anderson Magura said; “China imported agricultural products worth US$657 million from Zimbabwe in 2022, up 22,64 percent year-on-year, according to the Chinese Embassy. If we manage to continue on such a track and be consistent, I do not see how it will stop us from sending more products to that jurisdiction.”

The jump in imports shows China’s potential as a big market for Zimbabwe’s agricultural products, the CFU president added.

The approval came at a time when the European Union recently banned citrus imports from Zimbabwe and other Southern African countries due to the emergence of False Codling Moth.

“The new opportunity to export to China, the largest consumer of citrus in the world, gives local farmers an alternative market to fall back on in the event of mishaps from traditional markets like the EU,” said Magura.

China is a big importer of fruit. In 2022, China imported a total of 7,5 million tonnes of fruit, worth US$16 billion. However, access into that market is tough due to China’s strict standards, according to the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa.-ebusinessweekly