ZIMBABWE earned US$11,62 million from horticultural exports to China in 2025 mainly driven by macadamia nuts, the Chinese Embassy has revealed.
This comes as more horticultural products from Zimbabwe now have access to the Chinese niche market under trade protocols.
This embassy confirmed that Zimbabwe’s high-quality agricultural and horticultural produce was poised to reach more Chinese consumers and conquer new markets across China now that citrus, avocados and blueberries protocols have been finalised.
“With China’s zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries, including Zimbabwe, taking effect on May 1, 2026, we are pleased to see Chinese buyers already visiting local farms in Zimbabwe to source premium produce,” the Chinese Embassy said.
ZimTrade will next month host a three-day Zimbabwe-China Horticulture Buyers’ Engagement to grow trade between the two countries.
The engagement, which is scheduled for April 8 to 10 in Mutare, will allow Zimbabwean exporters to present their products, production capacity and export readiness, while exploring potential supply arrangements with Chinese companies.
ZimTrade communications manager, Mr Danai Majaha, said 10 Chinese horticulture importers and distributors were expected to participate in the buyers’ mission.
“The delegation will include fresh produce importers, fruit distribution companies, supermarket retailers, agriculture investors and food processing firms.
“The engagement will promote horticultural trade between Zimbabwe and China by linking local exporters with Chinese buyers and investors.Zimbabwe travel guide
“The programme will focus on horticultural products that have been secured, or are in the process of securing market access to China. These include avocados, macadamia nuts, blueberries, pecan nuts, chilli and sesame,” he said.
The Chinese delegates will visit farms and packhouses producing export crops in Zimbabwe.
The engagement comes on the backdrop of the conclusion of several export trade protocols between Zimbabwe and China that allow local producers to access the Chinese fresh produce market.
Zimbabwe and China signed a citrus trade protocol in 2022. The protocol was initiated in 2015 for the export of oranges for smallholder growers under the Shashi irrigation scheme.
Fresh citrus products to be exported to China from Zimbabwe include sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), lemon (Citrus limon and aurantifolia) and sour orange (Citrus aurantium).
The General Administration of Customs of China also released a list of registered Zimbabwean orchards and packhouses for fresh citrus exports to China.
In 2024, President Mnangagwa and his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, held a bilateral meeting at the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) with increased trade and investment at the top of the agenda.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of the Protocol for Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Zimbabwean Fresh Avocado to China.
Last year, during President Mnangagwa’s visit to China, the blueberry export protocol was signed to add to the various landmarks registered at a bilateral level between the two countries.
These agreements reflect growing trade cooperation between the two countries and developments in Zimbabwe’s regulatory systems, food safety standards and export capacity.Zimbabwe travel guide
Zimbabwe and China continue to enjoy a robust and mutually beneficial trade relationship, underpinned by strong diplomatic ties and growing economic cooperation.
China has emerged as Zimbabwe’s third-largest export market, with bilateral trade volumes more than doubling over the past decade.
According to ZimTrade, China was Zimbabwe’s third-largest export market, with exports reaching US$2,44 billion in 2024, up from US$766 million in 2015, a 218 percent increase over 10 years.
Imports from China also increased to US$1,4 billion in 2024, from US$546 million in 2015, marking a 151 percent increase.
Zimbabwe enjoys a trade surplus of over US$1 billion, mainly from the export of tobacco, minerals, iron and steel alloys and macadamia nuts, while it imports machinery, vehicles and tyres, among other products.
The Chinese market’s demand for healthy, traceable, high-quality produce continues to grow and the country needs to seize this demand from the niche market.
Zimbabwe’s production of the most globally sought-after superfood at the moment, blueberry, which has been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 38,4 percent over the five years, has led to the country earning US$56,6 million from its exports in 2024.
Horticulture is among the sectors expected to contribute to further growth in trade between the two countries as more products obtain market access.-herald
