Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura in CHIPINGE
THE Zimbabwe-China buyers’ engagement on avocado and macadamia has kicked off here in Chipinge, with hopes of increased exports of the two products to the Asian country.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza set the ball rolling, saying Manicaland has been presented with a golden opportunity to grow its export base.
“Manicaland is renowned for its agricultural potential, and Chipinge in particular is a prime region for avocados, macadamia, banana, coffee, sugar cane, cotton and tea. Zimbabwe and China share a strong, strategic and mutually beneficial relationship spanning over various sectors, mainly in agriculture, timber and mining. China’s emergence as Zimbabwe’s third largest trading partner is testament to the growing economic ties between the two nations,” said Minister Mugadza.
China Supply and Marketing Agricultural Service Company official, Mr Zheng Tang said they require about 100 000 tonnes of avocadoes per year, and get 90 percent of their requirements from imports.
He said Zimbabwe’s avocados are on demand in China as its climatic conditions are similar to Mexico, which dominates exports to the Asian country.
“It was not hard and difficult for us to choose Zimbabwe because the climatic condition is similar with that of Mexico, which is the world’s top avocado producer. Zimbabwe is a good place to produce avocados, but is not producing enough as it should, and there is a huge room to grow the sector. We hope our partnership will make Zimbabwe a leader in avocado production,” said Mr Tang.
Online Reporter