Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe
Zimpapers Business Hub
THE sugarcane industry is set for a major transformation, amid plans to double production from 400 000 metric tonnes to 800 000 metric tonnes by 2035, while electricity cogeneration capacity will be increased from 23,5 megawatts (MW) to 59,5MW.
The excess power will be fed into the national grid.
These ambitious sugar production targets, which include penetrating new regional and international markets by enhancing product quality, form part of the Zimbabwe Sugarcane Industry Development Strategy (2026–2035), developed through wide stakeholder consultations held in Harare in August and later in Chiredzi.
Last year, Zimbabwe’s two sugar-milling companies, Triangle and Hippo Valley, produced 439 000 tonnes of sugar, significantly exceeding the country’s annual consumption of approximately 350 000 tonnes.
Speaking at the validation workshop held in Chiredzi last week, permanent secretary for Industry and Commerce, Dr Thomas Wushe, told stakeholders that the sugarcane industry is not only an economic driver but also a lifeline for tens of thousands of Zimbabweans.
“The sugarcane industry is not only an economic contributor but a lifeline for over 30 000 direct and indirect Zimbabwean employees, a pillar of rural industrialisation and a key player in our national vision to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030,” said Dr Wushe.
He said the sector’s structure, which includes 1 200 registered out-growers contributing 43 percent of national cane output, demonstrated inclusive growth and community empowerment.
“The sector contributes 1,4 percent to GDP and is intricately linked with operations in other sectors. It has an installed capacity to produce 600 000 metric tonnes of sugar annually, yet currently it’s producing 400 000 metric tonnes,” he added.
Dr Wushe described the new strategy as bold, ambitious and necessary, saying it was crafted out of “an urgent necessity to orchestrate a coordinated rescue and revitalisation plan for a vital industry with immense potential to transform agriculture and agro-processing.”
“It aligns with our National Development Strategy 1 and 2, the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy 2, and the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy.
“It is designed to unlock the full potential of the sugarcane value chain from farming, milling, ethanol production, electricity generation, to export diversification,” said Dr Wushe.
Dr Wushe said value addition and beneficiation were central to the strategy.
“We aim to transform existing milling operations into state-of-the-art bio-refineries capable not only of producing refined sugar but also bioethanol and other sugar derivatives. We aim to double sugar production from 400 000 to 800 000 metric tonnes,” he said.
He added that the strategy would also pursue expansion of electricity cogeneration to boost national energy security and improve sector profitability.
“The expansion of electricity cogeneration capacity, from 23,5MW to 59,5MW, will be vigorously pursued to promote energy security while enhancing sector profitability.”
The sugarcane strategy also emphasises market diversification and export promotion.
“We intend to penetrate new regional and international markets by enhancing product quality, compliance with international standards and market intelligence capabilities,” said Dr Wushe.
Under this plan, sugar exports are expected to rise from 100 000 metric tonnes to 470 000 metric tonnes, while ethanol production is projected to grow from 155 million to 320 million litres annually.
Dr Wushe said achieving these ambitious goals would depend on creating a conducive operating environment, particularly by reducing production costs.
He noted that, following requests from local manufacturers to benefit from lower international sugar prices, the ministry is facilitating controlled sugar imports within the framework of the Local Content Strategy.
“We are allowing companies procuring locally 80 percent of their sugar requirements to cover the remaining 20 percent through imports,” said Dr Wushe.
He also noted ongoing efforts to modernise the Sugar Production Control Amendment Bill, a key legislative framework for the sector.
“The assumption of joint administration of the Sugar Production Act and continuous stakeholder engagement is aimed at smoothing the review of this outdated law.
“Finalisation of the process will bring closure to outstanding issues affecting both millers and farmers,” said Dr Wushe.
The Zimbabwe Sugarcane Industry Development Strategy is expected to position the sector as a critical driver of rural industrialisation, energy generation and export growth, supporting the country’s march toward Vision 2030.
