Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
DELEGATES from the European union (EU) recently visited the country for an appreciation of horticultural production processes as Zimbabwe’s exports to the EU27 bloc rose by 81 percent from US$58 million to US$105m.
The EU27 bloc is made up of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Statistics from Trade Statistics for International Business Development (TradeMap) show that horticultural exports from Zimbabwe to the EU27 bloc rose 81 percent from US$58 million in 2021 to US$105 million in 2024.
Export products include edible fruit and nuts, peel of citrus or melons, live trees and other plants, bulbs, roots, cut flowers and ornamental foliage, edible vegetables and their preparations.
The EUINZIM official X handle revealed that colleagues from the EU in Zimbabwe, including their Ambassador designate, Ms Katrin Hagemann, joined the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) for an insightful tour of Komani Estates, Montgomery Estates and Selby Farm to learn more about Zimbabwe’s horticulture industry.
The tour was also to witness the innovative Hub and Spoke Model implemented by Monty’s as well as seeing blueberry production.
“Thanks to the EU-Eastern and Southern Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Zimbabwean blueberries enjoy duty and quota-free access to EU markets, helping farms like these to tap into global demand, especially during Europe’s off-season to fill a crucial supply gap in Europe.
“Building on this strong foundation, the EU is currently developing a support programme for the horticultural sector to further enhance market access and sustainable trade between Zimbabwe and Europe,” said EU.
The EU ambassador designate said exports of processed goods from fresh produce entered the EU duty-free, giving local businesses a strong competitive edge.
“To access this vast market, companies must meet standards, including food safety and quality, fair labour practices and environmental responsibility,” Ms Hagemann said.
“Since 2012, Zimbabwe has benefitted from duty-free and quota-free access to all 27 EU member states.”
Monty’s and Central Association of Cooperative union (CACU) outgrower scheme launched a partnership under the Hub and Spoke Model running under the theme: “Opportunities in the field, capturing opportunities from the field” last year.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary, Professor Obert Jiri, welcomed the partnership, saying it was a step in the direction, as the country moves to attain its Vision 2030 goals.
“I am honoured to be here with you today for the launch of this partnership between Monty’s and CACU),” he said during the launch last year.
“This project represents a transformative approach to food systems, which aligns with our national goal of inclusive growth in our agriculture sector as well as dovetailing with strategies in the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGPThe HDC has crafted a simple yet effective model, which we are witnessing in motion today.
“This innovative approach brings together hubs, such as Monty’s and local farmers, who are organised under groups such as CACU.”
The HDC Hub and Spoke Business Model mostly promotes the formalisation of farming groups, thereby improving smallholder access to finance and support services.
“In this case, CACU will be able to implement an organised farming system that safeguards the production of safe food based on Zimbabwe’s Food Safety Standard, SafeTaste Zimbabwe.
“The model provides smallholder farmers with reliable markets, stable prices for their produce, increased production efficiencies and reduced costs based on bulking for both inputs and post-harvest logistics,” HDC former board chair, Liam Philp said.
The visit comes at a time when operationalisation of the Government’s Horticultural Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGP) gathers steam.
The Government in 2020 crafted the HRGP, which seeks to stimulate both conventional and rural horticulture production, to accelerate domestic and export horticulture production, enhance productivity and profitability, as well as value addition to contribute significantly to food security and nutrition, import substitution, foreign currency generation, employment creation and raising household incomes in pursuit of Vision 2030.
The country is gunning for a US$2, 5 billion horticulture sector by 2030.
