News in Brief:
– Zimbabwean blueberry farmers are looking to tap into China’s growing demand for high-quality produce.
– They have a competitive advantage due to its earlier harvest season and is working with the government to meet China’s specific market requirements.
Blueberry producers in Zimbabwe are setting their sights on a new and potentially lucrative market – China. This shift comes as the country seeks to diversify its agricultural exports and capitalise on China’s growing demand for high-quality produce.
Zimbabwe boasts a competitive edge in blueberry production, according to a statement by Clarence Mwale, CEO of Fair-Mark, a company that supports exporters.
This advantage stems from Zimbabwe’s earlier harvest season compared to competitors in the Southern Hemisphere. Mwale explained to the media that they have a massive advantage by coming into season two months ahead of their competitors. He added that they are positioning ourselves to maximise the period when they are the sole suppliers.
Essentially, the company is actively working with the Zimbabwean government to navigate the intricacies of the Chinese market and its specific requirements.
The goal is to equip local farmers with the knowledge and capabilities necessary to access this new market. This collaboration also involves developing strategies to meet the demands of Chinese supermarkets and other market segments.
Allan Majuru, CEO of ZimTrade, the country’s trade promotion agency, emphasised the country’s focus on diversifying its agricultural exports to China. Majuru stated that it aims to incorporate blueberries, pecan nuts, chilies and sesame, among other products, to grow and diversify our export basket to China.
Interestingly, according to a report, Zimbabwe is a topmost global exporter of blueberries, and has also outpaced all other nations in growth. The country has witnessed an increase of 63% in Blueberry exports, reaching a total of 1,200 tonnes.
Prior to colonization, Zimbabwean agriculture was characterised by a subsistence farming system, with communities focusing on growing crops like sorghum, millet, and maize (corn) to meet their basic needs. Livestock rearing was also practiced, particularly cattle and goats.
However, the arrival of European settlers in the late 19th century marked a significant shift. Large-scale commercial agriculture was introduced, with a focus on cash crops like tobacco, cotton, and maize. This system displaced indigenous farmers from their land and prioritised exports to European markets.
Historically, the top cash crops in the Southern African country include tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, coffee and horticultural products.
