Judith Phiri, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE will participate in the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) scheduled for next month in Shanghai, China, where it will exhibit a diversified range of products and services at one of the world’s largest import-focused trade platforms.
Zimbabwe first participated in CIIE at its inaugural edition in 2018.
Since its inception, Zimbabwe has regularly leveraged the event to showcase local goods and foster bilateral trade relations with China.
Slotted for November 5 to 10, the country’s participation at this year’s event comes at an important point in Zimbabwe-China trade relations.
Bilateral trade reached US$4,4 billion in 2025, up 15,2 percent from the previous year.
In their latest newsletter update, ZimTrade said Zimbabwe’s exports to China stood at US$2,57 billion, against imports of US$1,83 billion, giving Zimbabwe a trade surplus of approximately US$740 million.
“CIIE therefore presents an opportunity to build on an already substantial trading relationship, while broadening the range of Zimbabwean products and services reaching the Chinese market.
“Zimbabwe’s participation at CIIE 2026 will bring together companies from sectors including horticulture and agriculture, processed and heritage-based foods, leather and leather products, arts and crafts, tobacco and services including e-commerce.
“The mix reflects a deliberate push to diversify Zimbabwe’s exports to China,” said ZimTrade.
“While minerals and tobacco remain significant, new opportunities are opening for agricultural, processed and value-added products. Agriculture is already demonstrating this potential.”
The country’s trade and export vehicle said Zimbabwe has secured market access for products including citrus, macadamia nuts, avocados and blueberries, opening pathways into China’s large consumer market.
ZimTrade said the country’s first commercial shipment of blueberries entered China in 2026, joining a growing range of African agricultural products taking advantage of improved market access.
“One of the most significant developments for Zimbabwean exporters heading to CIIE this year is China’s expanded zero-tariff policy for African countries.
“From May 1, 2026, China extended zero-tariff treatment across 100 percent of tariff lines to all 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.
“Zimbabwe is among the 20 non-least-developed African countries newly covered by the measure, with the current preferential arrangement running for two years,” read part of the newsletter.
“This changes the commercial equation for Zimbabwean exporters and qualifying products that comply with the applicable rules of origin and market-entry requirements can enter China without import tariffs, improving their competitiveness in one of the world’s largest consumer markets.”
ZimTrade said early trade figures show the scale of the opportunity; in May and June 2026, the first two months following implementation of the expanded policy, China imported around
US$28,72 billion worth of goods from Africa, representing a 23,5 percent year-on-year increase.
ZimTrade said imports of African avocados increased by 130 percent, apples by 89,6 percent and oranges by 27,9 percent, while for Zimbabwe, the opportunity extends beyond simply selling more of what the country already exports.
