Andrew
Trade Focus
Allan Majuru
Zimbabwe’s development agenda is anchored in an export-led economy, with the bulk of exports being value-added products.
It is envisaged that exports will grow to US$7 billion in 2023 and US$14 billion by 2030, as espoused in the National Export Strategy launched by President Mnangagwa.
Realising these targets will help the country achieve an upper middle-income economy by 2030, which is characterised by improved livelihoods, world-class infrastructure and rewarding employment opportunities. Devolution is considered central in achieving the set targets.
Provinces can boost their contribution to economic growth by focusing on competitive and comparative advantages.
Having identified these areas, the major step will be harnessing their export potential and targeting regional markets first for small businesses and later international markets as sector clusters.
ZimTrade, the national trade development and promotion organisation, has already conducted research to determine low-hanging fruits in all the provinces.
For example, Mashonaland West has potential in agriculture and horticulture, processed foods, arts and crafts, clothing and textiles, furniture and packaging.
Overall, Mashonaland West has the potential to earn more than US$400 million in exports annually from value-added products.
This potential was calculated by using the highest export values from the available data per prioritised product line and guided by Trade Map data on Zimbabwe’s export values from 2013 to 2019. Effort needs to be channelled towards developing the capacity of businesses and farmers in Mashonaland West, as well as building collaborative centres to make it easy for sector players to coordinate, improve standards and consolidate orders, where possible.
Makonde district
Makonde is largely supported by agriculture, especially involving crops such as tobacco, maize, wheat and soya beans.
There is also room for some farmers to channel their production capacities towards horticultural crops such as sweet potatoes, peas and passion fruit.
There is need to unlock the potential for trees such as avocado and macadamia, which will go a long way in diversifying the production of fruits in non-traditional growing areas. As Zimbabwe has varying microclimates in different ecological areas, research may also be done to take advantage of the climatic conditions in Makonde to extend the window period for crops the country is already exporting.
Further, four districts in Mashonaland West — Makonde, Chegutu, Zvimba and Mhondoro-Ngezi — have been implementing the Pig Value Chain Project since 2019.
Successful implementation of the project will go a long way in growing exports of the pork value chain within the province.
Chegutu
Agriculture and animal husbandry are some of the key activities supporting Chegutu district. Farmers in the district can tap into the production of high-value crops such as blueberries. Resuscitation of citrus production will also unlock access to international markets such as China.
With improved support of the entire agriculture value chain, there is room for the sector to feed into the food processing industry in the district, with focus on products such as soft drinks, canned foods, sauces and spreads. Separately, given Chegutu’s history of producing fabrics, resuscitating the clothing and textiles industry will help grow exports of fabrics. These include fashion, java, industrial, curtaining and school uniform fabrics.
Other activities that can be earmarked for export development are paper production and animal husbandry.
Zvimba district
Zvimba has been making significant strides in boosting agriculture production, with some farmers engaging in export crops such as blueberries, peas, granadillas and carrots. Recently, there has been a growing number of farmers who are planning to venture into citrus production.
Developing an export cluster in the sub-sector will, therefore, help improve export-oriented production.
With more training, information dissemination and market linkage support extended to established and new farmers, the district could grow its exports from these products.
Kariba
Outside tourism and fishing, Kariba has a well-established crocodile farming sub-sector, which has supported exports from the district over the past years.
Crocodile skins from Kariba are currently being exported to Europe, with indications of further markets in Asia and the Middle East. To support and sustain exports of crocodile skins, there is need to capacitate and integrate small-scale producers into the mainstream export markets.
In addition, the influx of tourists into the district following the relaxation of travel restrictions across the world has the potential to revive exports of arts and crafts in Kariba.
The unique products include the Nyami Nyami traditional chairs that embody the cultural values of the Tonga people.
Further support in the production of these products has huge export potential.
Traditionally, the district has been exporting fish to regional countries such as Zambia, so, addressing the challenges affecting sector players will help revive exports from the district.
Hurungwe
Although Hurungwe district is largely an agriculture economy, with traditional crops such as maize, nuts and soya beans, there is room to venture into horticulture.
In addition, the district has huge potential in honey production. Further support, in terms of training and market linkages, especially for small players, would lead to increased output and exportation of honey into regional markets.
Sanyati district
Agriculture is the most common activity supporting livelihoods in Sanyati.
A study by Mapuva Jephias and Fadzai Machiya (2020) found that the main crops grown in the district are maize, cotton, soya beans, groundnuts, cowpeas and small grains such as rapoko, sorghum and millet.
As communities in Sanyati are mostly smallholder farmers, there is potential to group them and focus on horticultural crops such as peas, beans, chillies and peppers.
There are farmers who are already growing groundnuts and cowpeas for local markets and can be assisted to access regional and international markets.
Mhondoro-Ngezi district
The major economic drivers in Mhondoro-Ngezi district are mining and agriculture. For mining businesses in Mhondoro-Ngezi to benefit more from their activities, they need to consider value-addition and beneficiation, which will improve their earnings. While most mining businesses are exporting raw products, value-added products can increase their international market share.
Industries actively involved in value addition can create employment for machine operators and the factory workforce, as well as research and development personnel.
In addition to mining activities, there is a growing number of craftpersons in Mhondoro-Ngezi who are exporting to regional markets such as Namibia and Angola.
If these players get support, this could grow the district’s export potential even further.
Allan Majuru is ZimTrade’s cEO
Online Reporter