HARARE – Zimbabwean blueberries can now be exported to China for the first time, following the signing of a new export protocol in Beijing during President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s state visit.
The deal is seen as a major opportunity for local growers to expand into one of the world’s fastest-growing blueberry markets, with a population of 1.4 billion.
Mnangagwa, who arrived in China this week, attended commemorations of the country’s victory in the Second World War on Wednesday before holding bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping.
The Horticultural Development Council (HDC) welcomed the agreement, saying it could be transformative for the sector.
“Zimbabwe is projected to produce 12,000 tonnes of blueberries in 2025, up from 8,000 tonnes in 2024. The scale of exports to China will be guided by the new protocol’s sanitary and phytosanitary requirements and the related compliance costs,” the HDC said.
The council added that Zimbabwe could become Africa’s largest blueberry exporter if growers are supported with policies that encourage fresh investment.
The blueberry protocol builds on a similar agreement reached in 2024 for Zimbabwean avocados, underscoring horticulture’s central role in government’s economic growth agenda. The Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan targets a US$2 billion industry.
China’s appetite for blueberries has grown rapidly, with imports soaring from 665 tonnes in 2005 to nearly 39,000 tonnes in 2024, largely from Peru and Chile.
Zimbabwe’s entry into the market is expected to introduce a distinctive variety known for its taste and texture. According to official statistics, Zimbabwe’s blueberry exports rose 13.3 percent in the 2024/25 season, from 3,616 tonnes to 4,096 tonnes.
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