Kudzanai Sharara in SHANGHAI, China
Zimbabwean firms are seeking Chinese cosmetic manufacturers, distributors and buyers at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), in a bid to convert the favourable diplomatic ties with Beijing and its recent zero-tariff policies into tangible commercial contracts.
Bilateral trade between Zimbabwe and China surged by 51,6 percent to reach US$5,01 billion in the first nine months of 2026 alone, surpassing the total volume recorded for the entire previous year.
While Chinese investors have poured capital across various sectors, lately, Chinese private and state-backed investments are transforming Zimbabwe’s industrial base, transitioning the country into a key global supplier of clean energy materials.
This has seen Zimbabwe’s lithium export earnings skyrocket from a modest US$1,8 million in 2018 to US$500 million in 2025.
Projections point to lithium hitting US$1 billion by the close of 2026, with the industry having already cleared US$746 million in the first half of the year alone, demonstrating burgeoning political, investment and trade relations.
Mega-projects such as the Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO)’s Manhize project are reducing reliance on heavy imports, saving Zimbabwe millions of US dollars annually on steel-related products.
Heavy machinery dominates China’s exports to Zimbabwe, led primarily by large construction vehicles, delivery trucks and tractors aimed at fueling Zimbabwe’s infrastructural and industrial mining expansions.
Trade figures are expected to rise further due to a landmark policy shift on May 1, 2026, when China granted 100 percent zero-tariff access to all Zimbabwean products. This policy aims to facilitate easier entry for value-added commodities, processing local resources at home to support the country’s economic growth.
A Harare-based natural oils producer is among several exhibitors marketing natural oils at the global trade fair, which opened here yesterday and runs until November 10.
“Our presence here in China, we are looking to explore markets in the Chinese industries for cosmetic manufacturers, for distributors, for anybody who might be interested in importing our products into China,” said Nyarai Kurebgaseka of KAZA Natural Oils.
She said that the company already has some leads into the huge Chinese market and is looking to expand its footprint.
“Thanks to ZimTrade, we’ve been invited to participate here. So we were obviously very excited about the opportunity and we are hoping to get big results,” she said, adding that KAZA has had “very good results” at other trade shows exhibited under ZimTrade.
“Whenever they do call us, we jump at the opportunity because it’s always nice and beautiful to be represented under an umbrella like this and with an organisation like ZimTrade with such a history of success. So this is why we are here.”
Her comments came as Confidence Moyo, marketing manager at Marema Citrus Estate, outlined the company’s ambitions to break into the Chinese market beginning next year.
Based in Beitbridge, Marema Citrus Estate is showcasing its produce at the expo, hoping to secure buyers in a market that imports goods worth 18,48 trillion yuan ($2,75 trillion) in 2025.
“We produce Valencia oranges, three varieties of Valencia and also lemons,” Ms Moyo said. “Those are the citrus fruits that we produce for export and we are here at the China International Import Expo.”
Despite the massive scale of the Chinese market, Marema is adopting a phased approach.
“We are expecting to meet up with potential buyers for our 2027 season,” Ms Moyo stated. “2026 was actually our first export year. It was quite complex. But we decided to start marketing this year for 2027.”
The estate, which manages 875 hectares under citrus, has not yet exported to China. However, Ms Moyo is confident the company can meet China’s stringent demands for large quantities.
She highlighted that their Global GAP certification—an internationally recognised standard for farm management—is a crucial asset for meeting China’s phytosanitary requirements.
Zimbabwe’s broader push into the Chinese market is being spearheaded by ZimTrade, the national trade development and promotion organisation.
ZimTrade chief executive officer Allan Majuru said the primary objective is to diversify Zimbabwe’s export basket beyond traditional commodities like tobacco and minerals, focusing on value-added products.
“China’s expanded zero-tariff market access presents opportunities to improve the competitiveness of qualifying Zimbabwean products,” Mr Majuru said in an earlier interview ahead of CIIE. “Our participation seeks to translate these opportunities into increased exports, industrial production and foreign currency generation.”
The policy framework for Zimbabwean citrus in China has seen significant developments in recent years.
China and Zimbabwe signed a citrus trade protocol in 2022, which included an initial annual export quota of 50 000 tonnes. Consequently, Zimbabwean citrus producers officially began exporting to China in October 2023.
Effective May 1, 2026, China granted zero-tariff treatment to products from 53 African countries, including Zimbabwe, removing a major cost barrier for horticultural exports.
Zimbabwe’s overall citrus exports to all markets remain robust, reaching 68 000 tonnes in the first nine months of 2025, up 10 percent year-on-year. The country also earned approximately US$12 million from horticultural exports to China as protocols for citrus, avocados, and blueberries were finalised.
While commercial farms are investing heavily in the sector—including Orange Ville’s plans to reach 3,000 hectares by 2030 and Schweppes Zimbabwe’s 2 700 hectares in Beitbridge—the immediate challenge for exhibitors at CIIE 2026 is bridging the gap between potential and reality.
With the zero-tariff policy now active and the 50000-tonne quota available, Zimbabwean exporters like KAZA and Marema are at the expo to ensure the policy translates into real trade, aiming to move beyond the logistical bottlenecks of the past and establish a firm foothold in the Chinese supply chain for the 2027 season.
