Online Reporter
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE is set to unlock a billion-dollar export industry following a strategic partnership between agro-processing firm, Stagri-Brands, and the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority and ZimTrade, which targets the supply of 50 000 tonnes of chilli to the Chinese market annually.
The massive production drive is expected to benefit 300 000 farmers across the country, as the Government ramps up efforts to meet the growing demand for organic agricultural products in the world’s second-largest economy.
Chinese buyers visited Stagri-Brands’ value-addition facilities in Banket this week, where they expressed strong interest in local chillies, citing their natural and organic quality.
“We are excited with what we have witnessed,” Mr Huang Hwang, one of the Chinese buyers said. “Most of our chillies come from India, but we are in love with Zimbabwean products because they are natural.
“There is huge potential for the local industry to meet our demands, so we are going to start with small shipments.”
ARDA operations director, Mr Washington Katiyo, said the Authority is leveraging its expansive Village Business Units (VBUs) to scale up production.
“As ARDA, we are utilising the 35 000 village business units and 9 000 school business units to grow chillies for export.
“We have partnered with Stagri-Brands to ensure we create value for our communities. Production of chilli is guaranteed considering the availability of markets,” Mr Katiyo said.
ZimTrade chief executive officer, Mr Allan Majuru, called for the expeditious implementation of the Trade Protocol on Chilli between Zimbabwe and China to fully capitalise on the opportunity.
“Production of chilli has a huge potential in Zimbabwe. The availability of a huge market in China requires the expeditious implementation of the Trade Protocol on Chilli between the two countries,” said Mr Majuru.
Stagri-Brands CEO, Mr Valentine Tapfumaneyi, said the firm is already championing value addition and is ready to facilitate the 50 000-tonne target through a massive out-grower scheme.
“The demand for chilli is immediate. We are ready to supply 50 000 tonnes and are working on our value addition plant, which will create employment.
“We currently have centres across the country doing 100 hectares, and our partnership with ARDA will see every Village Business Unit participate, emerging as a key empowerment tool since the crop grows in all ecological regions,” Mr Tapfumaneyi said.
With the global chilli market valued at over US$7 billion, the finalisation of trade protocols is expected to be a game-changer for rural industrialisation and the country’s horticultural export earnings.
