Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera, Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
THE Horticultural Development Council (HDC) is optimistic that the country’s horticulture exports will grow more than three times from US$120 million in 2024 to US$500 million next year as it lays its development plan for 2030.
This came out at the fourth edition of the horticulture investment forum recently held in Harare.
Stakeholders deliberated on strategies to achieve the US$2,5 billion horticulture industry by 2030.
Prospective investors pitched directly to horticulture industry players the projects and opportunities they sought.
The 2025 investment forum was held under the theme: “Cultivating Growth: Horticulture Investors’ Pitch to the Zimbabwe Economy.”
HDC chief executive, Mrs Linda Nielsen, said over the six-year period the industry envisaged the horticulture sector to grow over 20 times to US$2,5 billion.
“We expect exports to reach US$500 million by 2026 and hope to grow it by US$500 million yearly thereafter. It will be US$1 billion by 2027, US$1,5 billion in 2028, US$2 billion in 2029 and US$2,5 billion by 2030,” she said.
To achieve the 2030 milestones, the 2025/26 time frame will be the brand launch period, where bankable programmes and initial investments are secured.
“The period 2027 to 2028 will be focused on scaled up production, infrastructure build up and market expansion.
“The 2029 to 2030 period will be seized with the attainment of the US$2,5 billion target under sustainability,” she said.
Mrs Nielsen said horticulture was more than just exports but was a transformation as it encompassed food security, job creation, health and nutrition.
“Fresh produce available all year-round for local communities strengthens the country’s domestic food systems.
“Horticulture affords nutrition for all Zimbabwean families and contributes to national food sovereignty,” she said.
Mrs Nielsen said the horticulture sector provided 15 000 direct jobs and the target was to increase to 586 000 by 2030.
“Vitamin-rich fruits combat malnutrition, support public health initiatives nationwide, make nutrition accessible across all communities and build healthier future generations.
“Roadside vendors bring fresh produce to communities while schools receive nutritious snacks for children and provide workplace wellness through convenient healthy options,” she said.
The event comes at a time when operationalisation of the Government’s Horticultural Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGP) is gathering momentum.
In 2020, the Government crafted the HRGP to stimulate conventional and rural horticulture production to accelerate horticulture production, productivity, profitability and value addition.
The objective is to contribute significantly to national food security and nutrition, import substitution, foreign currency generation, employment creation and raising household incomes in pursuit of Vision 2030.
A total of US$187 million was set aside under the Presidential Horticulture Scheme, while the conventional Horticulture Recovery Plan requires US$1 billion to be funded from the private sector and development partners.
The country has scored success in economic diplomacy in the opening of the Chinese markets for citrus, avocado and blueberry, among others.
Notable success has been scored with the booming growth of the blueberry sub-sector, which now leads in the horticulture industry.
