Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) has reported that the total value of the country’s exported goods in November 2024 reached US$905,2 million, marking a 29,7 percent increase from US$698,1 million recorded in October 2024.
This notable growth comes as Zimbabwe’s exports have consistently risen this year, establishing the nation as a prominent source of high-quality products both in Africa and internationally.
This growth is largely attributed to President Mnangagwa’s economic diplomacy agenda, spearheaded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, which aims to enhance Zimbabwe’s competitiveness on the global stage and boost trade.
President Mnangagwa has consistently emphasised Zimbabwe’s untapped export potential, urging businesses to explore opportunities in sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, construction, engineering and services.
ZimStat acting director for macro-economics, Ms Mable Chimhore said industrial supplies comprised 95,4 percent of the goods exported in November 2024.
“Fuels and lubricants as well as consumer goods each contributed 1,7 percent, food and beverages contributed 0,8 percent, transport equipment 0,3 percent and capital goods (except transport equipment) 0,2 percent,” she said.
She said among the top ten products exported in November 2024 were semi-manufactured gold (39,7 percent), Tobacco (30,5 percent) and nickel mattes (11,0 percent).
Ms Chimhore said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has maintained its top spot as the biggest destination for Zimbabwean exports after 40,5 percent of the shipments went to the Middle East country in November 2024, however, this was a decrease from the 42 percent recorded in October 2024.
“Among the country’s major export destinations in November 2024 were the United Arab Emirates (40,5 percent), South Africa (19,9 percent) and China (19,9 percent). The three countries accounted for around 80 percent of the total export value of US$905,2 million,” she added.
Meanwhile, in terms of imports, Ms Chimhore said for November 2024 they amounted to US$952,1 million, an increase of 13,9 percent from US$835,9 million recorded in October 2024.
She said this resulted in the November 2024 trade deficit for goods was being US$46,9 million, translating to a 66 percent decrease from a deficit of US$137,8 million recorded in October 2024.
Ms Chimhore said: “35,2 percent of the goods imported in November 2024, comprised industrial supplies, followed by fuels and lubricants category which accounted for 21,3 percent. Capital goods (except transport equipment) accounted for 17 percent, food and beverages 10,6 percent, transport equipment 9,3 percent, consumer goods 5,8 percent and goods (not elsewhere specified) 0,8 percent.”
She said mineral fuels (22,1 percent), machinery and mechanical appliances (11,9 percent), cereals (9,1 percent) and vehicles (7,6 percent) were among the top ten products imported in the same month.
Ms Chimhore said among the major source countries for imports in November 2024 were South Africa (39,3 percent), China (13,2 percent), Bahamas (9,3 percent) and Singapore (5,0 percent).
“The four countries accounted for around 67 percent of the total import value of US$952,1 million.”
Online Reporter