Online Reporter
Walter Nyamukondiwa in Beijing, China
Zimbabwe is poised to significantly expand its agricultural exports to China after Beijing upgraded its Green Channel initiative to fast-track customs clearance for African produce, while reaffirming that all commitments made under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit will be fully implemented.
The enhanced Green Channel is expected to boost Zimbabwe’s growing exports of blueberries, avocados and citrus fruits by reducing delays that have traditionally affected the freshness of perishable produce during the long journey to the Chinese market.
Speaking in Beijing, Deputy Director of the FOCAC Office at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Shuai Guipeng, assured African journalists that China remained committed to honouring every pledge made to African countries.
“As long as we make a commitment and reach an agreement with African countries, it will be implemented,” he said.
Mr Shuai said implementation challenges were not due to a lack of commitment, but the scale of projects being undertaken within a limited timeframe. He revealed that FOCAC commitments now form part of the Communist Party of China’s internal performance assessment, with officials held accountable for delivery.
In a major shift aimed at expanding African agricultural exports, China is moving away from negotiating market access for individual products to package agreements covering related commodities.
“In the past, we negotiated market access product by product. Now we are considering package negotiations covering agricultural and food products,” said Mr Shuai.
The development comes as Zimbabwe strengthens its foothold in China’s lucrative fresh produce market.
Zimbabwean blueberries entered the Chinese market for the first time this year following the signing of a phytosanitary protocol in September 2025. The Horticultural Development Council projects exports to rise to 12 000 tonnes this year from 9 500 tonnes in 2025 as hectarage expands from 650 to 850 hectares. China imports about US$400 million worth of blueberries annually, presenting significant opportunities for Zimbabwe, Africa’s third-largest producer after Morocco and South Africa.
Avocados are also expected to benefit after Zimbabwe secured market access through a phytosanitary agreement signed during the 2024 FOCAC Summit. China imports about 66 000 tonnes of avocados annually, valued at around US$151 million. Zimbabwe exported about 2 500 tonnes in 2025, with volumes expected to double as new orchards reach full production.
Citrus exports continue to gather momentum after China approved imports of Zimbabwean sweet oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, lemons, limes and bitter oranges in 2022, with the first commercial shipments arriving the following year.
Zimbabwe also stands to benefit from China’s zero-tariff policy for all 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing, a move aimed at increasing African exports and promoting shared economic growth.
Mr Shuai said the relationship between China and Africa had evolved beyond traditional donor-recipient cooperation, citing the jointly managed Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway as evidence of a partnership built on equality and shared responsibility.
He also revealed that the planned rehabilitation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) would extend beyond the rail line into a “TAZARA Prosperity Belt”, integrating agriculture, energy, ports and logistics. The initiative is expected to improve regional trade connectivity for landlocked Southern African countries, including Zimbabwe, that rely on the corridor for access to the Indian Ocean.
