Zimbabwe’s horticulture exports in 2021 drew US$64.6 million, reflecting a 6.8 increase compared to US$59.5 recorded in 2020.
ZimTrade, a trade promotion body confirmed the latest figures in its latest statement.
It said major contributers to the export market were macadamia nuts, which contributed US$13.8 million, citrus – US$10.9 million, vegetables – US$4.2 million, flowers – US$3.2 million.
“With the horticulture recovery and growth plan under implementation to stimulate export growth, indications are that local farmers will boost production, making it easy to meet requirements by buyers and growing demand,” ZimTrade said.
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“Although some may record the increase in imports as an unfavourable development, it is encouraging to note that the bulk of imports were raw materials and capital equipment being channelled into the local manufacturing sector to boost production.”
It added manufactured tobacco exports also increased by 4.5% in 2021 to 56 million compared with 53.6 million in 2020.
However, processed food exports declined by 48% from 115.5 million in 2020 to 59.1 million in 2021, while sugar exports also dropped from US$75.5 in 2020 to 15.6 million in 2021.
This was also the trend in aquaculture exports, which saw a decline of 76% in 2021 with sales raking in US$700 000 compared to US$3 million in 2020.
Livestock exports declined by 39% from 3.8 million in 2020 to US$2.3 million last year.
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However, another plus was noted in cotton exports, which increased from 43.9 million in 2020 to US$102.2 million.
“To increase earnings from cotton to clothing value-chain exports, there is need to step up efforts to value-add the raw cotton that is currently making up the bulk of exports from the sector,” ZimTrade noted.
