Kudzanai Sharara in Shanghai, China
ZIMBABWEAN pecan nut producer Balu Pecan and Livestock Company is seeking assistance from relevant authorities to secure export protocols for direct access to the Chinese market, where growing demand presents an opportunity for the country’s emerging pecan industry.
The company, which has established more than 38 000 pecan trees in Umguza, Matabeleland North, is preparing to enter commercial production, with its first significant harvest of about 100 tonnes expected in 2027.
However, securing the necessary market-access protocols will be critical to translating the anticipated production into exports, particularly as the company projects output to reach approximately 1 000 tonnes annually once its trees reach full maturity.
Managing director Dr Jeremy Hubert said engagements with potential buyers at the 2026 China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai had reinforced the company’s confidence in the Chinese market.
“We are looking for assistance from the relevant authorities to try and get a protocol in place so that we can export our nuts direct to China,” he said.
“That would certainly assist because the trees we planted, the initial trees in 2018, are now on the cusp of production.”
Mr Hubert said the company had more than 38 000 trees under its pecan nut project, which is being implemented through a strategic partnership with the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) at Balu Estate.
The company expects its first significant production in 2027, with volumes projected to increase to about 1 000 tonnes per annum over the next few years as the trees mature.
Mr Hubert said the Chinese market offered considerable potential, with local production understood to account for less than 10 percent of the country’s demand.
“As we understand it, Chinese production doesn’t even come up to 10 percent of their demand, so there is an obvious gap in the market for exporting pecan nuts from Zimbabwe to China,” he said.
He added that discussions with prospective buyers during the expo had demonstrated strong interest in the product, strengthening the company’s determination to pursue the market.
The company attended the expo at the invitation of ZimTrade, Zimbabwe’s national trade development and promotion organisation.
In an interview ahead of CIIE, ZimTrade chief executive Allan Majuru said Zimbabwe’s participation in the expo was primarily aimed at expanding exports to China, particularly value-added products, while strengthening commercial relations between the two countries.
He said the country was seeking to diversify its export basket beyond traditional commodities by creating opportunities for horticulture, processed foods, leather products and other manufactured goods.
China’s expanded zero-tariff market access for African countries also presented opportunities to improve the competitiveness of qualifying Zimbabwean products.
“Our participation seeks to translate these opportunities into increased exports, industrial production and foreign currency generation,” said Majuru.
On the expected outcomes of the trade mission, Majuru said ZimTrade was targeting export orders, distribution agreements and strategic partnerships with Chinese importers, retailers and investors.
The organisation also hopes to introduce more Zimbabwean products into Chinese supply chains, strengthen market intelligence and identify investment opportunities in value addition, processing and export logistics.
“At the end, we want to convert Zimbabwe’s strong diplomatic relations with China into tangible commercial gains that support industrialisation, export diversification and sustainable economic growth,” he said.
China remains an attractive destination for Zimbabwean horticultural producers, given its enormous consumer market and growing demand for imported agricultural products.
The two countries signed a citrus trade protocol in 2021, providing for an initial annual export quota of 50 000 tonnes. Zimbabwean citrus exports to China officially began in October 2023.
Further opportunities emerged on May 1, 2026, when China extended zero-tariff treatment to products from 53 African countries, including Zimbabwe, removing an important cost barrier for qualifying exporters.
Zimbabwe’s overall citrus exports to all markets reached 68 000 tonnes in the first nine months of 2025, representing a 10 percent year-on-year increase.
The country also earned approximately US$12 million from horticultural exports to China as market-access protocols for citrus, avocados and blueberries were finalised.
Mr Hubert expressed hope that the engagements at the expo would result in market opportunities and progress towards securing the regulatory arrangements required to facilitate direct exports of pecan nuts to China.
