dyton mupawaenda
Edgar Vhera –Agriculture Specialist Writer
ZIMBABWE’S horticulture export basket and earnings to China are set for a boost following the arrival of high-powered delegation for macadamia and avocado buyers from the Asian giant recently.
President Mnangagwa recently hosted a Chinese delegation led by the Executive Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, Mr Ma Xin.
The delegation has committed itself to the agreements made by the two leaders at a bilateral meeting ahead of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) with increased trade and investment being top of the agenda.
Zimbabwe and China signed 17 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across various sectors that include agriculture.
Among the agreements signed was the Protocol for Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Zimbabwean fresh avocados to China as well as MoU on Co-operation on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine.
The addition of avocado follows the signing of the Zimbabwe/China citrus protocol with the country’s first product debuting that Chinese market in 2023.
This development follows the National Trade Development and Promotion Organisation of Zimbabwe (ZimTrade)’s invitation of avocado and macadamia buyers from China to Chipinge district in Manicaland province from April 8 to 10.
ZimTrade director of operations, Mr Similo Nkala said the buyers’ engagement will result in increased exports of the in-demand produce to China.
“This buyers’ engagement is a follow-up to the FOCAC 2024 meeting with the Zimbabwe delegation that was led by President Mnangagwa.
“We have invited eight buyers of avocado and macadamia nuts from China, which is one of the biggest importers of avocado. There is a lot of potential for our avocado producers to further expand on that market.
Mr Nkala said producers in Chipinge and Manicaland will now export directly without going through middlemen.
“This will go a long way in terms of increasing our trade as a country, which has grown from about US$3,8 billion in 2014 to US$7,5 billion in 2024; with our target being US$14 billion by 2030,” said Mr Nkala.
Meanwhile, the local horticulture promotion body, the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) said the current low volume of citrus exports to China was due to the early-stage nature of Zimbabwe’s access to the lucrative market, which only recently opened under the citrus trade protocol.
“The shipments are part of a trial phase, as exporters align with the stringent quality and phytosanitary standards required by the Chinese market.
“With increased investment, we expect volumes to gradually increase in the coming seasons,” remarked HDC chief executive, Mrs Linda Nielsen.
She said the Durban port remains the most reliable and efficient export route for perishable horticultural produce, especially for longer-haul destinations such as China.
“While the Beira port offers a shorter route, exporters currently face significant higher handling charges, limited cold chain infrastructure, which make it less viable for commodities like citrus that require stringent cold storage and uninterrupted temperature-controlled logistics.
“HDC believes that with greater collaboration between the Zimbabwean and Mozambican authorities to attract further investment, there is potential to develop this into a more competitive and accessible route,” she noted.
Zimbabwe currently does not have a trade agreement with China on macadamia nuts and the HDC wants this and blueberry among other horticulture crops to be included in future trade protocols.
The Plant Quarantine Services Institute (PQSI) issued phytosanitary certificates for export of 46 containers of oranges to China with each container averaging 24 tonnes in the debut year (2023) and all these via the Port of Durban.
Last year only three containers (76127kg net) of oranges were exported to China in 2024 and all went via the Durban Port.
Online Reporter