Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
ZIMBABWE’s exports remained heavily concentrated in mineral commodities in April 2026, with gold and nickel products contributing nearly 74 percent of total export earnings as the country’s trade deficit widened to US$169,6 million.
Latest external trade statistics released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) show that export earnings declined by 15 percent to US$792,3 million in April from US$932,1 million recorded in March, while imports fell by 10,8 percent to US$962 million from US$1,08 billion during the same period.
The decline in exports outpaced the reduction in imports, resulting in the trade deficit increasing by 15,9 percent from US$146,4 million in March to US$169,6 million in April.
Presenting the April 2026 External Trade Statistics, ZimStat statistician Ms Mable Chimhore said semi-manufactured gold continued to dominate Zimbabwe’s export basket.
“Among the top 10 products exported in April 2026 were semi-manufactured gold (49,7 percent), nickel mattes (24,3 percent) and tobacco (3,9 percent),” she said.
The figures highlight the continued dominance of mining products in Zimbabwe’s export sector, with semi-manufactured gold alone accounting for almost half of all export receipts during the month.
Other major exports included iron and steel products, ferro-chromium, coke and semi-coke of coal, nickel ores and concentrates, cigarette tobacco and platinum.
Ms Chimhore said industrial supplies remained the backbone of Zimbabwe’s exports.
“Industrial supplies accounted for 92,8 percent of the goods exported in April 2026,” she said.
The United Arab Emirates retained its position as Zimbabwe’s largest export market, accounting for half of all export earnings.
“South Africa (37,1 percent), China (3,7 percent), Mozambique (2 percent) and Zambia (1,7 percent) follow as major export destinations,” said Ms Chimhore.
The five countries accounted for approximately 94 percent of the country’s total exports during the month.
Within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), exports were valued at US$335,6 million, with nickel mattes, iron and steel products, and coke and semi-coke of coal accounting for about 73 percent of shipments to the regional bloc.
Exports to countries under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) amounted to US$341,9 million, largely driven by nickel mattes, iron and steel products, coke and semi-coke of coal, and nickel ores and concentrates, which together contributed about 76 percent of the total value exported to the continental market.
On the import side, mineral fuels, machinery and mechanical appliances, vehicles and cereals remained the country’s biggest import categories.
Ms Chimhore said industrial supplies accounted for 31,3 percent of imports, followed by fuels and lubricants at 22,7 percent and capital goods at 22,2 percent.
South Africa remained Zimbabwe’s leading source of imports, supplying 36,5 percent of all imported goods, followed by China at 16,1 percent and Bahrain at 11,7 percent.
“Together, the top six countries account for nearly 76 percent of total imports,” said Ms Chimhore.
The latest figures show the country’s continued dependence on mineral exports for foreign currency generation and imported fuel, machinery and industrial inputs to sustain production and economic activity.
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