Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo
ZIMTRADE — the national trade development and promotion body — will host the Zimbabwe-China Horticulture Buyers’ Engagement, a three-day inward buyers’ mission scheduled for April 8 to 10 in Mutare.
The event 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.
In a statement, ZimTrade said the event follows the conclusion of several export protocols between Harare and Beijing 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,” read the statement.
“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 horticultural importers and distributors are expected to participate in the buyers’ mission.
The delegation will include fresh produce importers, officials of fruit distribution companies, supermarket retailers staff, agriculture investors and representatives of food processing firms.
The engagement will enable Zimbabwean exporters to present their products, production capacity and export readiness, as well as explore potential supply arrangements with Chinese companies.
China remains one of Zimbabwe’s major export destinations.
ZimTrade said Zimbabwe’s exports to China reached US$2,4 billion in 2024 and 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 the trade development and promotion body.
“The programme will begin on April 8 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.
Responding to questions by Zimpapers Business Hub, Horticultural Development Council of Zimbabwe (HDC) chief executive officer Ms Linda Nielsen said HDC welcomes the upcoming Zimbabwe-China Horticulture Buyers’ Engagement as an important step in strengthening market linkages for Zimbabwean horticulture exporters.
She said HDC has been involved in the process leading to the signing of trade protocols with China for blueberries, avocados and citrus, commodities with strong export potential.
However, she said translating these protocols into actual exports takes time.
“Strict phytosanitary requirements, including traceability, pest management and other standards, must be met before trade can begin at scale,” said Ms Nielsen.
“As an industry, we are working to ensure growers are ready. Crucially, at the same time, we are looking to Government to accelerate the remaining regulatory processes so that these protocols can be fully operationalised, allowing Zimbabwe to take full advantage of the vast opportunities presented by the Chinese market.”
Meanwhile, ZimTrade said buyers have already started visiting local farms sourcing quality local produce.
Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector is witnessing a notable turnaround, with annual exports soaring to over US$120 million.
This resurgence marks a pivotal moment for the industry, showcasing the country’s potential to become a key player in the global agricultural market.
The sector has performed well since 2017, when it struggled to break the US$20-million barrier.
Strategic investments in high-value crops, particularly blueberries and avocados, have fuelled this growth.
