Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
MANICALAND’S horticulture sector has received a major boost with an opportunity to expand exports into the vast Chinese market.
Next month, Mutare will host the Zimbabwe–China Horticulture Buyers’ Engagement, a high-level meeting where local producers will connect directly with buyers from Asia to strike export deals.
Horticulture remains one of the province’s key economic drivers, thanks to its favourable climate that supports a wide range of crops.
Manicaland is already renowned for avocados, macadamia nuts, blueberries, pecan nuts, chillies, and the fast-rising sesame crop, which has quickly gained traction among farmers.
The engagement is being organised by ZimTrade, the national trade promotion body.
In a statement, ZimTrade said the arrival of Chinese buyers follows the signing of several trade agreements and protocols between Zimbabwe and China, opening new doors for local producers to access one of the world’s largest markets.
“ZimTrade will host the Zimbabwe-China Horticulture Buyers’ Engagement, a three-day inward buyers’ mission scheduled for April 8 to 10 in Mutare. The engagement will promote horticultural trade between Zimbabwe and China by linking local exporters with Chinese buyers and investors.
“The programme will focus on horticultural products that have secured, or are in the process of securing market access to China. These include avocados, macadamia nuts, blueberries, pecan nuts, chilli and sesame.
“The event follows the conclusion of several export protocols between Zimbabwe and China that allow local producers to access the Chinese fresh produce market. Zimbabwe signed the Citrus Protocol with China in 2015, followed by the Avocado Protocol, while blueberries recently received market access.
“These agreements reflect growing trade cooperation between the two countries and developments in Zimbabwe’s regulatory systems, food safety standards and export capacity. About 10 Chinese horticulture importers and distributors are 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 give Zimbabwean exporters an opportunity to present their products, production capacity and export readiness, while exploring potential supply arrangements with Chinese companies. China remains one of Zimbabwe’s major export destinations.
“Zimbabwe’s exports to China reached about US$2,4 billion in 2024 and stood at US$2,1 billion in 2025, placing the Asian country among Zimbabwe’s leading trading partners. Horticulture is among the sectors expected to contribute to further growth in trade between the two countries as more products obtain market access,” said ZimTrade.
The buyers will visit selected farms and pack houses across the province to have a first-hand appreciation on how the produce are farmed and handled.
“The programme will begin on April 8, 2026 with a seminar and business-to-business networking session in Mutare, where Zimbabwean horticulture producers will meet the visiting Chinese delegation.
“The meeting will allow companies to present their products, exchange information on market requirements, and discuss potential supply arrangements. The programme will continue on April 9 and 10, with visits to farms and pack houses producing export crops such as avocados, blueberries, macadamia nuts, pecan nuts, chilli and sesame,” said ZimTrade.
Chipinge Avocado Farmers Association secretary, Mrs Daphine Mbanje, said the engagement is crucial for them as it will enable them to pursue ways to penetrate the Chinese market.
“We are excited by the planned engagement, and we are ready to show them our high quality produce which is farmed organically. The engagement will provide a platform whereby the buyers will name specifics they prefer be it size, quantity and quality. Market led agriculture is the best way to go as a farmer will produce specifically what the buyers want. This helps to reduce loses and rotting of produce due to of takers,” she said.
