Zimbabwe's berry export earnings increased by 34%, from US$7.8 million in the first nine months of 2024 to US$10.4 million in the same period this year, supported by growing blueberry shipments to China.
Data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats) show export volumes rising by 18%, from 5,319 tons to 6,273 tons, while the average price increased by 13%, from US$1.46 to US$1.66 per kilogram.
Berries, including blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, and mulberry, form a growing segment of Zimbabwe's horticultural sector, with expansion largely driven by blueberries. Market access to China followed the signing of a blueberry export protocol in September, allowing shipments under agreed sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
"The milestone signing of the blueberry protocol with China in September did not happen overnight but was the result of extensive behind-the-scenes work, countless meetings, and close coordination between stakeholders. Our growers will now have access to one of the world's fastest-growing blueberry markets, with Zimbabwe's blueberry production expected to rise from 8,000 tons in 2024 to 12,000 tons in 2025," said Horticultural Development Council (HDC) chief executive Linda Nielsen.
China's blueberry imports have expanded from 665 tons in 2005 to almost 39,000 tons in 2024, mainly from Peru and Chile. "The entry of Zimbabwean blueberries, known for their unique taste and texture, brings a new source of supply to that market," Nielsen said.
Zimbabwe's harvest runs from May to October, with most production based in the three Mashonaland provinces and Manicaland. Nielsen added that the country's early-season window provides a competitive edge and that most berries are transported by air.
HDC board member and grower Willard Zireva said market awareness remains essential for competitiveness. "What transformed my business was not just better farming techniques, it was understanding market requirements and building linkages," he said.
Zireva, who farms 12 hectares of blueberries, said expansion has been constrained by limited access to finance, power, and water. "Blueberries are only irrigated during the day, not at night, and any load shedding during the day negatively affects us growers, as we are forced to use expensive diesel-powered electricity generation. One hectare of blueberries has 4,000 plants in pots and each plant requires five litres of water per day, a total of 20,000 litres," he said.
Source: ZimStat
