By Dickson Bandera
Berlin, Germany – Zimbabwe is making waves on the global agricultural stage, and nowhere was this more evident than at the renowned Fruit Logistica trade fair in Berlin, Germany. The event, one of the largest gatherings of fresh produce suppliers in the world, provided Zimbabwe with a platform to showcase the quality, reliability, and export readiness of its horticultural sector.
Ambassador Alice Mashingaidze led the Zimbabwean delegation, visiting the country’s stand, where an array of premium products—from blueberries and citrus fruits to pineapples, avocados, and macadamia nuts—was on full display.
Thirty local companies participated, highlighting not only the nation’s growing capabilities but also its determination to forge strategic partnerships, secure new export contracts, and attract foreign investment into a sector that is quickly becoming a pillar of economic growth.
The remarkable strides in Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector are no accident. The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has implemented a series of transformative reforms that have revitalized the industry.
Initiatives such as the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan aim to turn horticulture into a US$2 billion industry by 2030, emphasizing value addition, market diversification, and enhanced productivity.
Complementing this, the Horticulture Enterprise Enhancement Project, co-financed with IFAD and the OPEC Fund, is connecting thousands of smallholder farmers to global value chains, ensuring rural producers share in the sector’s prosperity.
Irrigation infrastructure has been expanded to counter climate variability, while land tenure reforms have made farmland more bankable, allowing more farmers to access financing more easily. At the same time, export facilitation measures—including streamlined phytosanitary procedures—have improved Zimbabwe’s competitiveness on international markets.
The results of these efforts are tangible. Horticulture export revenues have soared in recent years, surpassing US$120 million in 2023, with blueberries, citrus, macadamia nuts, and pineapples leading the charge. Berry exports, in particular, have experienced remarkable growth, climbing from just a few thousand tonnes to over 6,000 tonnes, bringing in tens of millions of dollars and opening doors to major global markets such as the Netherlands, Germany, Hong Kong, and, more recently, China.
Experts note that Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector not only drives economic growth but also generates employment, fosters rural inclusion, and strengthens the nation’s foreign exchange position. From smallholder farms to large commercial enterprises, modern farming techniques and adherence to international quality standards have allowed Zimbabwe to meet global expectations consistently.
As international buyers continue to take notice, Zimbabwe’s horticulture industry is poised for further growth, delivering fresh, premium products from the farm to the world.
🌱 Zimbabwe — delivering fresh, premium products to the world.
📈 Open for trade. Open for growth.
