The 2026 Zimbabwe-China Horticulture Buyers Engagement opened on Wednesday in eastern Zimbabwe, spotlighting China’s new zero-tariff policy as a major catalyst for expanding bilateral agricultural trade.
The three-day event, taking place in Manicaland Province, brings together Chinese buyers and Zimbabwean producers for business-to-business meetings, farm visits, and discussions aimed at strengthening trade protocols and unlocking new financing models to accelerate export growth.
Speaking at the event, Huang Minghai, Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe, said Zimbabwe’s agricultural exports to China reached 804 million U.S. dollars in 2025, accounting for 31 percent of the country’s total exports to China. He described the figure as evidence of strong growth potential in bilateral agricultural cooperation.
According to ZimTrade, China’s 2025 imports of key horticultural products included 256 million dollars for pecan nuts, 159 million for macadamia nuts, 145 million for avocados, and 9.6 million for blueberries—highlighting significant opportunities for Zimbabwean exporters.
A major focus of the engagement is China’s zero-tariff policy, which came into effect on May 1 and applies to 53 African countries, including Zimbabwe. Huang noted that the policy is expected to significantly boost agricultural exports by improving price competitiveness and expanding access to the Chinese market.
“The policy, combined with growing demand in China, is opening a new chapter for agricultural cooperation,” Huang said, urging stakeholders to better connect Zimbabwe’s agricultural capacity with China’s vast consumer market.
Beyond increasing export volumes, the initiative is also expected to drive value addition and industrial upgrading within Zimbabwe. By encouraging investment in agro-processing, the policy aims to shift exports from raw produce to higher-value processed goods, while promoting technology transfer and skills development.
Zimbabwean officials welcomed the initiative as a milestone in deepening economic relations between the two countries. Misheck Mugadza, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Manicaland, said the engagement reflects years of growing cooperation, including the signing of trade protocols covering macadamias, citrus, avocados, and blueberries.
To further diversify its export portfolio, Zimbabwe is now targeting additional high-value products such as pecans, sesame, and chilies, with technical processes already underway to facilitate their access to the Chinese market.
Looking ahead, both countries are expected to intensify collaboration in areas such as product standards, logistics, and agricultural innovation. Huang emphasized that the long-term goal is to enhance competitiveness while delivering tangible benefits to farmers and local communities.
The ongoing engagement underscores a shared commitment by Zimbabwe and China to leverage trade policy, market access, and investment to unlock new opportunities in the agricultural sector.
