Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe
Zimpapers Business Hub
Zimbabwe’s external sector recorded a remarkable improvement in October, with the country’s goods trade deficit narrowing sharply to US$3,6 million, an 82,7 percent decrease from the US$20,7 million recorded in September.
According to official statistics, the dramatic reduction was driven by a strong surge in exports, outweighing rising imports.
The outcome signals increased productive and consumer activity across key sectors of the economy.
Exports for October 2025 rose significantly to US$1,02 billion, a 20,2 percent increase—or US$172,3 million—from September’s US$851,1 million.
The rebound was underpinned by increased mineral shipments, processed agricultural products, and manufactured goods.
Imports also increased, reaching US$1,03 billion, up 17,8 percent (US$155,1 million) from the US$871,8 million recorded in September.
The growth in imports was largely attributed to higher demand for industrial inputs, machinery, fuel, and consumer goods.
Despite the rise in imports, the much stronger expansion in exports helped narrow the trade deficit sharply, boosting confidence in the country’s trade performance.
Economist Alice Chikonzo commended the development, saying the figures reflect improving competitiveness and resilience in Zimbabwe’s export sectors.
“This is a commendable outcome for the economy. An 82,7 percent reduction in the trade deficit within a month highlights the effectiveness of ongoing production and export-oriented initiatives.
If sustained, this trajectory will ease pressure on the currency, support industrial recovery, and strengthen macroeconomic stability,” she said.
According to Zimstat, the major exports to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in October comprised tobacco, partly or wholly stemmed/stripped; coke and semi-coke of coal; and tobacco smoking/cigarettes containing tobacco.
The products constituted 25,8 percent, 19,1 percent, and 9,1 percent of the total export value of US$32,7 million, respectively.
The country’s exports to the European union (EU) in October were tobacco, partly or wholly stemmed/stripped (85,5 percent); ferro-chromium (9,8 percent); and granite, crude or roughly trimmed/merely cut into squares (3,0 percent), accounting for around 98 per cent of the total value (US$47,1 million) of goods exported to the EU.
The major exports to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in October were nickel mattes (45,8 percent); tobacco, partly or wholly stemmed/stripped (9,8 percent); chromium ores and concentrates (6,3 percent); and iron or steel and products (5,7 percent).
The four products accounted for about sixty-eight percent of the total export value of US$278,6 million.
Major imports from SADC in October were cereals (14,4 percent); machinery and mechanical appliances (10,4 percent); mineral fuels, mineral oils and products (9,0 percent); and iron and steel and articles (6,6 percent).
The four products contributed about forty per cent of the total import value of US$500,3 million.
