Online Reporter
Trade Focus-Allan Majuru
Zimbabwe’s push to grow exports and strengthen its presence in regional and global markets continues to show stronger returns, with 2025 trade figures edging closer to a milestone that only a few years ago would have sounded ambitious: becoming a US$10 billion export economy.
Latest trade statistics for 2025 from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) show that the country has registered a major jump in export earnings, supported by strong performance in key sectors and growing demand for Zimbabwean products in both traditional and emerging markets.
The export surge is a strong indication of the positive results of President Mnangagwa’s drive to boost the visibility of Zimbabwean products and services across the world.
This drive is supported by the economic diplomacy agenda being implemented through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and national trade development and promotion agency ZimTrade, which has strengthened trade engagement with countries across the world. As a result, Zimbabwe’s exports stood at US$9,71 billion in 2025, representing a 30 percent increase compared to US$7,43 billion recorded during the same period in 2024.
The performance is remarkable as it outperformed the export growth target of 10 percent by a wide margin.
With exports growing by 30 percent, Zimbabwe recorded a growth rate that is 20 percentage points above target, a signal that the national export drive is gaining stronger traction and that Zimbabwean products are increasingly finding space in external markets.
Imports increased by 3,7 percent to US$10,1 billion from US$9,74 billion in 2024.
Consequently, Zimbabwe’s trade deficit narrowed sharply, dropping by 82 percent to US$404 million, from US$2,3 billion recorded during the same period in 2024.
Beyond the headline export figure, it is also encouraging that exports of value-added products are recording positive movement. Exports of value-added products increased by 30,6 percent, from US$437 million in 2024 to US$571 million in 2025.
While value-added exports still account for a modest share of total exports, the growth supports the Second Republic’s industrialisation thrust, which seeks to shift the country from exporting raw commodities to shipping more processed and manufactured products.
Movers
Building and construction materials emerged as some of the standout performers in 2025. Exports in the sector increased by 292 percent, from US$26,4 million in 2024 to US$103,7 million in 2025.
Major exported goods included semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel valued at US$47 million, followed by exports of iron/steel bars and rods amounting to US$23 million. Exports of unglazed ceramic flags amounted to US$11 million, up from US$7,8 million in 2024.
Agricultural inputs and implements exports also recorded growth, rising to US$44 million in 2025 from US$38,4 million in 2024, translating to a 14,5 percent increase.
In niche export categories, the arts and crafts sector grew, with exports jumping from US$10,8 million to US$13,4 million, translating to a 24 percent increase.
The minerals sector remained the anchor of Zimbabwe’s export performance.
Minerals and alloys rose by 38,5 percent, from US$5,56 billion in 2024 to US$7,71 billion in 2025.
The sector accounted for 79,4 percent of total exports during the period under review.
Gold was the major contributor, increasing from US$2,5 billion to US$4,6 billion, translating to an 84 percent increase.
The rise in gold export earnings was supported by strong international prices, with global prices of the precious metal reported to be 84 percent up year-on-year, and more than 175 percent higher compared to five years ago.
Tobacco exports remained stable, reinforcing the sector’s continued importance as a foreign currency earner.
Unmanufactured tobacco exports marginally rose by 0,1 percent to US$1,33 billion in 2025.
Although the sector’s contribution to total exports declined to 13,7 percent, largely due to the sharp rise in mineral export earnings, it continues to provide a strong base for export receipts.
More importantly, the value-addition thrust in tobacco is showing progress.
Manufactured tobacco exports increased to US$124 million in 2025, from US$99 million recorded during the same period in 2024, translating to a 24,7 percent growth.
Shakers
Despite the strong export performance, some sectors recorded declines, highlighting the need for continued support to strengthen export diversification and competitiveness.
Hides and skins exports fell to US$26,6 million from US$33,2 million, while pharmaceutical exports dropped from US$5,2 million to US$4 million.
While these sectors represent a smaller share of total exports, they remain important for diversification and inclusive growth given their linkages with agriculture and manufacturing.
While exports surged, imports increased marginally by 3,7 percent to US$10,1 billion from US$9,74 billion in 2024.
However, the structure of imports provides an important signal about what is happening in the economy.
Machinery and equipment imports amounted to US$1,85 billion, contributing 18,3 percent to total imports.
Raw materials imports increased by 19 percent to US$1,37 billion, accounting for 13,6 percent of the import bill.
This pattern indicates that a significant portion of imports is supporting productive capacity, particularly industrial retooling and strengthening of manufacturing value chains. Increased importation of machinery and raw materials points to firms investing in equipment, production lines and industrial inputs that support higher output and improved product quality.
This is critical for strengthening competitiveness and ensuring that Zimbabwe can scale production of value-added products.
Over time, this retooling is expected to support stronger participation in regional and international value chains, as the country increases production capacity, improves standards and expands the range of products that can competitively access export markets.
Allan Majuru is the ZimTrade chief executive officer.
