Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer, Agribusiness
ZIMBABWE earned US$4,2 million from flower exports last year, an increase of 18 percent from US$3,6 million recorded the previous year.
This comes as the country is targeting a US$1 billion horticulture export industry by 2030.
Statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats) show that flower exports grossed US$4 205 728 in 2024 against US$3 556 832 the previous year.
The volume of flower exports grew 11 percent from 2 117 215 kilogrammes in 2023 to 2 344 225kg last year.
The average price rose seven percent from US$1,68 to US$1,79 per kilogramme.
Zimbabwe exports fresh roses and other fresh cut flowers, foliage, branches and other parts of plants without flowers to different destinations.
The 2024 horticulture investment forum hosted by the HDC revealed that the summer flower and roses sub-sector was currently under 130 hectares and was targeting to grow that to 930 by 2030.
An investment of US$45 600 000 is required to achieve this hectarage and 4 650 jobs will be created.
Currently, summer flower and roses production is 40 320 tonnes valued at US$39 347 200.
The floriculture industry is targeting an annual export value of US$276 979 200 by 2030.
The national trade development and promotion agency, ZimTrade recently revealed that floriculture was proving to be a viable and high-value enterprise for farmers willing to learn and adapt.
Flowers are high-value crops that can be grown on small plots of land and, if managed correctly, can yield significantly higher returns than most food crops.
“With proper support, organisation and access to markets, small-scale producers can thrive in the flower industry,” said ZimTrade.
Government instituted the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGP) in 2020 as a bold and transformative plan anchored on rural horticultural agro-industrialisation, enhanced nutrition and developed food systems, increased incomes, while growing conventional horticultural enterprises.
It has the floriculture recovery and growth (FRGP) programme.
The export flower project, under the FRGP, will target large farms with capacity to raise capital while taking advantage of local capacity for the supply of breeding stock for propagation of flowers in Zimbabwe.
The model will have a financial institution as the partnering unit across the value chain. The financial institution will provide financing for infrastructure development and working capital as well as facilitate market linkages.
Joint Ventures in rose production are expected to facilitate and accelerate Zimbabwe’s re-emergence as a globally competitive exporter of cut flowers, by implementing an accelerated programme that will increase the country’s foreign currency earnings by US$25 million per year by 2025.
Rose production will take place on 10 commercial farming operations, each with 20 hectares under greenhouse, at a cost of US$71 million.
The Export Flower Growers Association Production (EFGAZ), however, reported that flower production fell by 13 percent in 2023 and a further five percent in 2024.
“The industry faces high freight costs, particularly after KLM’s exit. A significant concern is the competitiveness with countries like Kenya and Ethiopia. Despite a better rainy season, the industry continues to face significant challenges, including escalating labour costs and erratic power issues,” the EFGAZ report.
