HARARE – Zimbabwean blueberries can now be exported to China for the first time, following the signing of a new protocol between the two countries in Beijing.
The Horticultural Development Council (HDC} welcomes the agreement, which opens the door for local growers to expand into one of the world’s fastest-growing blueberry markets.
Zimbabwe is projected to produce 12,000 tonnes of blueberries in 2025, 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.
HDC Chief Executive Officer, Linda Nielsen, commented, “This agreement is a milestone for Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector. What is needed now is collaboration to design policies that increase investment, boost production to meet required volumes, and ensure that our blueberries meet China’s strict quality and phytosanitary standards. With the right support, our Zimbabwean growers can position the country as a reliable supplier to this important market.”
Zimbabwe can position itself as the largest blueberry exporter in Africa, provided growers receive supportive policies that encourage investment.
The blueberry deal builds on the avocado protocol signed in 2024, reinforcing horticulture’s central role in Zimbabwe’s economic growth. The sector’s ambition, under the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan, is to become a USS2 billion industry.
Driven by the trend towards healthy lifestyles, China’s blueberry imports have surged from just 665 tonnes in 2005 to nearly 39,000 tonnes in 2024, mainly sourced 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.
