Kudzanai Sharara in Shanghai, China
Zimbabwean horticultural exporters are seeking to convert favourable diplomatic ties and recent zero-tariff policies into tangible commercial contracts, as the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) opens here today.
Speaking on day one of the global trade fair, which runs until 10 November, Confidence Moyo, marketing manager at Marema Citrus Estate, outlined the company’s ambitions to break into the Chinese market for the 2027 season.
Based in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe, Marema Citrus Estate is showcasing its produce at the expo, hoping to secure buyers in a market that imported goods worth 18.48 trillion yuan ($2,75 trillion) in 2025.
“We produce Valencia oranges, three varieties of Valencia and also lemons,” Ms Moyo said. “Those are the citrus fruits that we produce for export and we are here at the China International Import Expo.”
Despite the massive scale of the Chinese market, Marema is adopting a phased approach. “We are expecting to meet up with potential buyers for our 2027 season,” Ms Moyo stated. “2026 was actually our first export year. It was quite complex. But we decided to start marketing this year for 2027.”
The estate, which manages 875 hectares under citrus, has not yet exported to China. However, Ms Moyo is confident the company can meet China’s stringent demands for large quantities. She highlighted that their Global GAP certification—an internationally recognised standard for farm management—is a crucial asset for meeting China’s phytosanitary requirements.
Zimbabwe’s broader push into the Chinese market is being spearheaded by ZimTrade, the national trade development and promotion organisation. ZimTrade chief executive officer Allan Majuru said the primary objective is to diversify Zimbabwe’s export basket beyond traditional commodities like tobacco and minerals, focusing on value-added products.
“China’s expanded zero-tariff market access presents opportunities to improve the competitiveness of qualifying Zimbabwean products,” Mr Majuru said. “Our participation seeks to translate these opportunities into increased exports, industrial production and foreign currency generation.”
The policy framework for Zimbabwean citrus in China has seen significant developments in recent years. China and Zimbabwe signed a citrus trade protocol in 2022, which included an initial annual export quota of 50,000 tonnes. Consequently, Zimbabwean citrus officially began exporting to China in October 2023.
Furthermore, effective May 1, 2026, China granted zero-tariff treatment to products from 53 African countries, including Zimbabwe, removing a major cost barrier for horticultural exports.
Zimbabwe’s overall citrus exports to all markets remain robust, reaching 68,000 tonnes in the first nine months of 2025, up 10 percent year-on-year. The country also earned approximately US$12 million from horticultural exports to China as protocols for citrus, avocados, and blueberries were finalised.
While commercial farms are investing heavily in the sector—including Orange Ville’s plans to reach 3 000 hectares by 2030 and Schweppes Zimbabwe’s 2 700 hectares in Beitbridge—the immediate challenge for exhibitors at CIIE 2026 is bridging the gap between potential and reality.
With the zero-tariff policy now active and the 50 000-tonne quota available, Zimbabwean exporters like Marema are at the expo to ensure the policy translates into real trade, aiming to move beyond the logistical bottlenecks of the past and establish a firm foothold in the Chinese supply chain for the 2027 season.
