Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S horticulture sector — anchored largely in Manicaland Province — recorded significant growth in 2025, with farmers and industry players attributing the expansion to increased planted land, improved irrigation infrastructure, and rising export demand for high value crops.
The sector, which includes fruits, vegetables, flowers, nuts, and plantation crops, is emerging as one of the fastest growing segments of Zimbabwe’s agricultural industry.
Farmers are increasingly shifting towards export oriented and climate resilient crops, positioning horticulture as a driver of both rural incomes and national economic growth.
According to the recently released data most crops registered impressive growth with avocado (18 percent), macadamia (16 percent), pecan nuts (29 percent), apples (eight percent), banana (six percent), coffee (15 percent), blueberry (three percent), mango (22 percent) and orange (18 percent).
Tea registered a 13 percent decline in production, which is being attributed to viability challenges and presence of more profitable alternatives such as avocados and macadamia.
Macadamia Marketing and Production Farmers’ Cooperative chairperson, Mr Landelani Mapungwana, explained that the rise in macadamia production is driven by farmers’ continued investment in the crop, which has consistently delivered strong returns in recent seasons.
The cooperative, with more than 700 members, has seen farmers replant orchards that were abandoned soon after the land reform programme due to lack of technical knowledge — expertise that many have now acquired.
“There has been intensive planting of macadamia trees over the past five years because the crop has proven to be a highly viable venture. Depending on the level of care, trees begin producing within three to five years. Planting new orchards and replanting previously neglected areas is still ongoing, and we expect production to continue rising each year.
“Macadamia is a plantation crop that endures for decades. Unlike seasonal crops, farmers only need to maintain the orchards properly, and the returns are rewarding. The major challenge, however, is that many smallholder farmers still export through intermediaries, which erodes our profits. With the opening of the Chinese market, we are urging government to support us in exporting directly as a consortium of small producers,” said Mr Mapungwana.
Industry experts note that strong international demand for blueberries, avocados, and macadamia has encouraged more farmers to venture into horticulture, attracted by higher returns compared to traditional grain crops.
Manicaland’s favourable climatic conditions are enabling rapid expansion of horticulture farming, with corporates such as Tanganda, Ariston, and Cicada, alongside individual farmers, leading the charge.
This growth is translating into increased export receipts, employment creation, and the rise of downstream industries — reinforcing horticulture’s role as one of Zimbabwe’s most dynamic agricultural sectors.
