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Agriculture Specialist Writer
GOVERNMENT and private sector’s collaborative efforts in investments in the horticulture industry have seen avocado production rising 164 percent from 47 370 tonnes in the 2017/18 season to 125 028 tonnes in 2023/24 season.
This has seen the country move up the production rankings to become the fifth-largest producer in Africa.
While Horticulture Development Council (HDC) did not provide details on the country’s previous ranking, records show that the number one producer was Kenya, followed by Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa, Morocco, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Driven by the country’s engagement and re-engagement policy, earnings from avocado exports are set to increase, as the horticulture industry targets US$1 billion from exports.
President Mnangagwa recently hosted a Chinese delegation led by the executive Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, Mr Ma Xin, with his delegation to actualise the agreements made by the Zimbabwean and Chinese leaders during a bilateral meeting ahead of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) with increased trade and investment top of the agenda last year.
Zimbabwe and China signed 17 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoU) across various sectors including agriculture.
Among the agreements signed was the Protocol for Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Zimbabwean Fresh Avocado to China.
The National Trade Development and Promotion Organisation of Zimbabwe (ZimTrade) invited avocado and macadamia buyers from China to Chipinge District in Manicaland Province from April 8 to 10.
An X post from the HDC read: “After a tough dry season, nothing says resilience like Zimbabwean avocados being packed for export. Zimbabwe is now Africa’s 5th largest avocado producer and new markets are opening and our growers are ready. Let’s give them the policy support they need to go even further.”
Online Reporter