Netherlands to import more horticulture products

THE recovering Zimbabwe horticultural sector is set for a major boost after the Netherlands showed a keen interest in increasing import volumes with officials showing confidence in the quality of local products.

Horticulture contributes about 6,5 percent to the total agricultural output and 0,7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The Government introduced a $30 million horticultural export revolving fund to boost output and aid its Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan.

The plan aims to increase sustainability and quality of production for blueberries, fresh fruit, citrus, macadamia, coffee and high-value crops such as medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp.

The economic diplomacy agenda, being spearheaded by President Mnangagwa’s administration is bearing fruit as the country continues to record positive growth in exports, which is evident that the world is warming up to Zimbabwean products.

Under the “Zimbabwe is open for business” philosophy, the Government is working closely with the private sector to revamp key productive sectors, as part of the broader economic transformation agenda, anchored on rolling out reforms aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business and stimulating both domestic and foreign direct investment.

Creating export-led growth and substituting imports are at the heart of this drive, which should culminate in the attainment of an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

Speaking to Chronicle Business on Tuesday, Netherlands ambassador to Zimbabwe, Margret Verwijk, admired the quality of local horticultural products.

She said there is a huge scope for more products to be exported.

“We import so many fruits that include blueberries, avocados to mention but a few from Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe also produces beautiful roses that are free for import as well, and there is also room for a lot of products that could be exported,” she said.

Zimbabwe is a signatory to the EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EU-EPA), providing duty and quota-free access to the EU market, thereby creating additional profit incentives for local companies engaging in exports.

She added: “We also get beautiful pineapples grown from Chimanimani and farmers benefit from the funds by sending their children to school.”

“The horticultural sector also offers significant opportunities even to new farmers and certainly achieves much more than the US$18 million per annum targeted by 2030.

“Attracting more private sector funding in horticultural and related sectors such as research, distribution, packaging, marketing, logistics and value addition can result in increased exports and the emergence of a new class of successful farmers.”

Ms Verwijk stated that the Netherlands pursues sustainable trade with Zimbabwe, which is responsible, climate resilient and sustainable, while contributing to poverty reduction, sustainable rural livelihoods, improving yields and gender equality.

“Our aim as the Netherlands government is to achieve mutual benefit in Zimbabwe by promoting innovation, social businesses, start-ups and agribusiness. Building on previous experience and success, a coherent programme will support improving fruits and vegetable production and export to the Netherlands, female entrepreneurs and youth entrepreneurship, employment and digital technology.”

Until the late 1990s, Zimbabwe’s horticulture industry contributed 3,5 to 4,5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and was a major foreign exchange earner for the country.

The sector used to contribute over US$125 million in export earnings at its peak in 2000.

Zimbabwe’s diverse horticulture exports were largely tropical, citrus and deciduous fruits, as well as various vegetables, tree nuts, avocados and cut flowers to European markets.