Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Zimbabwe’s trade performance for the period January to October 2025 has reaffirmed the strong gains generated under President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic as the country drives towards an export-led and industrialised economy, in line with Vision 2030.
According to the latest Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) figures, exports for October reached an unprecedented US$1,02 billion, the highest monthly export figure ever recorded in Zimbabwe.
This achievement has driven the cumulative earnings for the first 10 months of the year to US$7,49 billion.
The performance reflects the growing strength of Zimbabwe’s productive sectors, the firming global demand for the country’s goods and the deliberate shift towards value addition that the Second Republic continues to promote.
It also highlights the impact of deliberate interventions by the national trade development and promotion agency, ZimTrade, designed to boost capacity and competitiveness, including expanding market access and supporting value addition.
These efforts align with the Second Republic’s broader push for economic transformation, and are being supported through economic diplomacy, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
The ministry’s work in strengthening trade links, negotiating new market pathways and deepening regional cooperation continues to open fresh opportunities for exporters.
Although Zimbabwe traditionally records stronger export activity in the second half of the year due to seasonal and production-based factors, the scale of the October performance exceeded expectations and placed the country among the top export performers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Based on current trends, merchandise exports are projected to close the year at about US$9,12 billion, well above the national target of US$8,1 billion.
This outlook reflects improved production capacity, favourable global commodity prices and ongoing investment across manufacturing, mining and agriculture. It also shows how targeted market-development efforts are helping more sectors participate in international trade. One of the most important developments in 2025 has been the strong growth in value-added exports.
The value of processed and manufactured goods increased from US$362,9 million between January and October in 2024 to US$454,4 million during the same period in 2025, showing early results of the country’s industrialisation drive.
The shift from raw commodities to products with higher levels of processing has become an essential part of Zimbabwe’s growth narrative, supporting better earnings, job creation and long-term competitiveness.
Movers
Manufactured tobacco continued to show steady growth, with exports rising from US$83,1 million between January 2024 and October 2024 to US$98,3 million in the same period in 2025.
This represents an increase of 18 percent and reflects ongoing investment in processing that continues to shift the industry towards higher-value products.
Agricultural inputs and implements also recorded firm growth.
Exports increased from US$29,3 million in 2024 to US$31,4 million in 2025, a rise of 7,2 percent. They were driven by products such as maize seed valued at US$5,7 million and nitrogenous fertilisers, which grew markedly to US$4 million from just US$27 000 the previous year.
These changes demonstrate broadening capacity within agricultural manufacturing and growing regional demand.
The building and construction materials sector continued its upward trajectory, recording one of the highest growth rates across all export categories.
Exports rose from US$21,5 million in 2024 to US$86,2 million in 2025, marking a 300 percent increase. Major contributions came from semi-finished iron and steel valued at US$41 million; iron and steel bars and rods worth US$17,4 million; and unglazed ceramic tiles valued at US$8,8 million, up from US$6 million the previous year.
The improvements reflect increased production capacity in local steel-related industries and expanding regional construction activity.
Hides and skins exports grew modestly from US$20,4 million in 2024 to US$20,8 million in 2025.
The sector was driven mainly by exports of raw hides and skins, which amounted to US$20,2 million in 2025.
The arts and crafts sector saw a strong rise from US$9,4 million in 2024 to US$11,5 million in 2025, a 23 percent increase.
Zoological collector’s items accounted for US$10,5 million, complemented by sculptures and statuary valued at US$1 million.
The sector continues to benefit from growing global interest in handmade and culturally distinctive products.
Livestock and livestock products recorded growth of 2,4 percent, rising from US$5,4 million to US$5,6 million.
Key exports included birds’ eggs and live poultry.
Minerals and alloys remained the major contributor to Zimbabwe’s overall export growth. Earnings rose from US$4,49 billion in 2024 to US$6,08 billion in 2025, marking a 35 percent increase.
Gold drove much of this performance, rising from US$1,87 billion to US$3,6 billion, a 94 percent surge, benefitting from higher global prices and increased deliveries.
Shakers
Unmanufactured tobacco exports decreased from US$888,6 million in 2024 to US$874,2 million in 2025, representing a decline of 1,6 percent.
Pharmaceutical exports dropped by 22 percent, from US$4,4 million to US$3,4 million during the review period.
Chemicals fell from US$7,6 million to US$6,1 million, a 18,8 percent decline; while cotton recorded one of the biggest drops, falling from US$15,6 million to US$7,1 million, a decline of 54,8 percent.
Household electricals and furniture dropped from US$19,1 million to US$15,7 million.
Market performance
Zimbabwe’s export market performance between January 2025 and October 2025 showed significant progress in diversifying the country’s export destinations. The United Arab Emirates remained the largest market, with exports rising from US$2,06 billion in 2024 to US$3,69 billion in 2025.
South Africa maintained its role as the second-largest destination, with exports increasing slightly from US$1,7 billion to US$1,72 billion. Its overall share declined from 29 percent to 23 percent, indicating growth in other markets rather than a reduction in South African demand.
Exports to China fell slightly from US$959,4 million to US$938,8 million, a decrease of 2,1 percent.
However, this was offset by gains in other Asian markets, including Indonesia, which rose from US$65,3 million to US$79,1 million, an increase of 21 percent; and Hong Kong, which grew from US$51,8 million to US$62,6 million, a growth of 20,9 percent.
Europe remained an important region for Zimbabwe’s exports.
The Netherlands increased its imports from US$59,8 million to US$77,6 million, a 29,7 percent rise; while Belgium raised its imports from US$98,2 million to US$125,9 million, an increase of 28,2 percent.
These markets are key buyers of horticultural and specialised industrial products. In the region, Mozambique saw imports rise from US$219 million to US$258,6 million, an 18 percent increase, reinforcing its position as a significant trading partner.
Zambia’s rose slightly from US$120 million to US$121,6 million.
Although declines were recorded in Vietnam and several smaller destinations, the overall trend showed a broader spread of export markets.
This diversification supports long-term resilience and complements national efforts to reduce dependence on a narrow set of countries, while creating new pathways for Zimbabwean products.
