Zimbabwe's citrus industry continues on an upward trajectory, supported by renewed investment and expanding production capacity. According to data from ZimStats, citrus exports reached US$14.5 million between January and September 2025, compared to US$13 million over the same period last year. Export volumes increased from 62 million kilograms to 68 million kilograms, a rise of 10 per cent.
Several large-scale projects are shaping the sector's development. These include Toppick Investments' 800-hectare citrus estate, Orange Ville's US$30 million project with a target of 3,000 hectares by 2030, and Schweppes Zimbabwe's 2,700-hectare plantation under development in Beitbridge. These investments align with broader national agricultural plans and indicate ongoing activity in the country's perennial fruit sector.
The Horticultural Development Council (HDC) aims to double Zimbabwe's citrus plantation area to 8,000 hectares by 2030, a target that could generate an estimated 24,000 new jobs. The expansion is part of the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy II (2026–2030), which outlines a projected increase in the citrus value chain from US$576 million to US$925 million by the end of the decade.
Analysts note that the sector's performance reflects Zimbabwe's efforts to diversify agricultural exports and support rural economies through value addition, infrastructure development, and sustainable production systems. With continued private-sector investment and policy alignment, citrus is positioned to remain a stable component of the country's export portfolio.
Source: The Zimbabwe Mail
