Online Reporter
Business Reporter
MASHAVA Arts Cluster has made its first major shipment of stone sculptures to the Netherlands, marking a breakthrough for Zimbabwe’s arts and crafts export sector.
The development highlights the growing success of efforts to connect rural economies directly with international markets.
The shipment follows a successful buyer engagement facilitated by the national trade promotion and development body ZimTrade after a Netherlands-based arts and crafts products buyer visited the Mashava Arts Cluster to assess the quality and export potential of locally produced stone sculptures.
Following the visit, the Mashava arts and crafts products were adjusted to meet the export requirements.
The development represents a significant milestone for the Masvingo-based cluster, which had previously exported only small volumes to some European union countries due to limited access to international buyers.
The latest export is expected to substantially increase foreign currency earnings for local sculptors by creating direct links between producers and overseas buyers, eliminating intermediaries who traditionally purchased artworks at low prices before exporting them for higher returns.
The breakthrough also demonstrates the impact of ZimTrade’s Cluster Development Programme, which seeks to integrate rural communities and small-scale producers into mainstream export markets through export-led growth.
Mashava Arts Cluster comprises sculptors and artists specialising in Zimbabwe’s renowned stone carvings, products that continue to attract growing international demand because of their uniqueness, craftsmanship and artistic value.
Mashava Arts and Crafts managing director, Mr Michael Makoni, welcomed the development, saying direct access to international buyers would significantly improve returns for local artists.
“The facilitation by ZimTrade in finding buyers from the Netherlands is a step in the right direction because it eliminates local middlemen who have been buying our products for very small amounts.
“We pray that ZimTrade continues finding us customers who come directly from Europe and other overseas markets,” said Mr Makoni.
Sculptor Mr Dennis Bofu, said the new export market would increase artists’ incomes because the Dutch buyer was purchasing products in bulk.
