Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
THE blueberry industry continues to record strong growth, with export earnings rising by 23 percent to US$14 million in the first 10 months of the year compared to the same period last year.
The Horticultural Development Council (HPC) recently revealed that Zimbabwe has the fastest-growing berry sector in the world, fuelled by a demand for the product in the United Kingdom (UK), European and Asian markets.
On the local front, blueberries are also the fastest-growing horticultural export crop since 2018 and this year’s target of 12 000 tonnes is already in sight.
Statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats) show that the country earned US$11, 4 million from berry exports from January to October last year, with US$14 million being generated in the comparable period this year.
In volume terms, it rose 15 percent from 7,6 million kilogrammes to 8,8 million kg.
The average price also increased by seven percent from US$1,49 per kg to US$1,60.
This year’s current earnings have overtaken last year’s US$12,5 million, with November and December figures still to come.
The berries classification consists of cranberry, mulberry, blueberry, strawberry and raspberry, with most of the growth coming from blueberry. The country recently extended its market outreach by signing a blueberry export trade protocol with China, which allows local exporters to access the market subject to meeting the set sanitary and phytosanitary regulations.
“The milestone signing of the blueberry protocol with China in September did not happen overnight, but was a result of much behind-the-scenes work, countless meetings and close coordination between stakeholders.
“Our growers will have access to one of the world’s fastest-growing blueberry markets, with Zimbabwe’s blueberry production expected to climb from 8 000 tonnes in 2024 to 12 000 tonnes in 2025. Our collective focus must now shift to scaling up investment through supportive policies and ensuring quality compliance,” said HDC chief executive Mrs Linda Nielsen.
Zimbabwe needs to expand the blueberry area from the current 750 hectares if it’s to satisfy the lucrative Chinese market.
Speaking on the sidelines of the just-ended International Blueberry Organisation (IBO) Summit in South Africa, HDC chairman and blueberry farmer, Mr Alistair Campbell, said China presented a huge market with current local production just a drop in the ocean.
“Currently, blueberries are on 750ha and with the market openings in China and India, our produce will be exposed to about three billion people’s market. So, we need to upscale production to satisfy this niche market,” he said.
Zimbabwe offers unique climatic conditions that give its berries a distinct advantage in size, flavour and texture. This makes them popular in many markets around the world. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants.
They are also low in calories and high in vitamins C and K, making them a key part of a healthy diet.
Zimbabwe’s main blueberry harvest season runs from May to October.
“The country produces premium quality berries which are bigger, better and sweeter and this is its unique selling point (USP).
“It has the longest harvesting period, starting from mid-March to the end of October, allowing it to take advantage of the different market segments to get the highest prices,” he said.
From experimental plantings of blueberries in 2008 and first commercial exports in 2017, production and exports skyrocketed from US$1 million in 2018 to US$14 million in 2022.
Meanwhile, the country’s new agriculture roadmap, the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation
Strategy 2: 2026-30 (AFSRTS 2), which replaces AFSRTS 1 that ends this year, anticipates blueberry production to reach 19 000 tonnes by 2030.
“The blueberry value chain, as a high-value crop, has potential to drive economic growth, generate exports and create jobs while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
“There is high demand for blueberries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Blueberry production is expected to increase from 11,000 tonnes in 2025/26 to 19 000 tonnes by 2030/31, with gross value increasing from US$48.4 million to US$74.1 million during this period,” reads the AFSRTS 2 report.
