Zimbabwe’s horticulture industry is experiencing a powerful resurgence, with the berries sub-sector emerging as a standout success story. According to the latest figures from ZimTrade’s TradeMap 2025 data, berry export earnings soared from US$11 million in 2020 to US$50 million in 2024 — a remarkable 351% increase over just four years.
This rapid growth is anchored in the country’s blueberry industry, which has become the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s high-value horticultural exports. In volume terms, berry exports rose from 2,503 tonnes in 2020 to 6,240 tonnes in 2024, confirming strong demand in premium international markets.
Global Demand Fuels Export Boom
The Netherlands led as the top buyer in 2024, accounting for 29% of earnings at US$14.5 million, followed by Hong Kong, China, which brought in US$10.9 million (22%), and Germany, contributing US$7.2 million (14%). While Hong Kong placed third in terms of volume, it moved up to second place in earnings thanks to its higher average price of US$14 per kilogramme — the highest among Zimbabwe’s key export destinations.
Other notable buyers included Singapore (US$12/kg) and Germany (US$9/kg), reinforcing the value of Zimbabwe’s premium product positioning in the international blueberry market.
Blueberry Growth Drives Industry Expansion
The berries category includes cranberries, mulberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, but it’s the blueberry segment that has driven the current growth. From a modest US$1 million in export earnings in 2018, the sector has skyrocketed to US$50 million in 2024, achieving a compound annual growth rate of 34.3%.
The Horticultural Development Council (HDC), which is celebrating its five-year anniversary, credited its partnership with commercial growers and government stakeholders for helping push the industry forward.
“We have grown from an ambitious idea into a driving force to drive Zimbabwe’s horticulture industry to meet its huge potential,” the HDC noted in its April 2025 horticulture update.
Zimbabwe entered the global blueberry market in 2017, a decade after the first pilot plantings in 2008. Since then, the sector has rapidly scaled up through increased investment, improved crop yields, and alignment with global export standards.
2025 and Beyond: Continued Growth on the Horizon
Looking ahead, blueberry exports are projected to increase by 25% in 2025, from 8,000 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes, thanks to plant maturity and yield improvements rather than new plantings. The HDC has set an ambitious long-term target of 30,000 tonnes by 2030, contingent on resolving key challenges such as high borrowing costs, policy inconsistencies, and limited access to Asian markets.
In an effort to unlock the lucrative Chinese market, Zimbabwe’s National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) has already submitted a pest risk analysis to Chinese customs and is now awaiting a response that could open up a major new export frontier.
Zimbabwe’s Unique Advantage
What sets Zimbabwe apart in the global blueberry market is its unique export window, which provides an early-season advantage of three to eight weeks ahead of traditional suppliers like Peru and Eastern Europe. This time advantage, combined with high quality and rich flavor profiles, gives Zimbabwe a powerful unique selling proposition in a competitive global market.
As fields like the one under development in Goromonzi continue to mature, Zimbabwe’s berry sub-sector is poised to become a key contributor to export earnings and rural economic transformation — provided the enabling environment supports further growth.
With global appetite for healthy, antioxidant-rich fruits on the rise, Zimbabwe’s blueberries are not just a seasonal success — they’re shaping up to be a year-round game-changer for the country’s agricultural future.
