Zimbabwe’s Blueberry Exports Surge but Face Growth Challenges

Zimbabwe’s blueberry industry has recorded a 351% increase in export earnings over the past four years, but the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) warns the sector risks stagnation without new investment and improved market access.

According to ZimTrade, blueberry export earnings rose from US$11 million in 2020 to over US$50 million in 2024. Export volumes grew from approximately 2,500 tonnes to more than 6,200 tonnes during the same period. Output is expected to reach 8,000 tonnes in 2024 and 10,000 tonnes in 2025, driven primarily by the maturation of existing plants rather than expansion of new cultivation.

HDC chief executive Linda Nielsen highlighted the limits of current growth. “This year we’re aiming for 8,000 tonnes. However, the expansion is not from new plantings but from plant maturity because we still don’t have enough capital to expand,” she said.

To achieve the sector’s long-term goal of 1,500 hectares under cultivation and 30,000 tonnes in annual production by 2030, the industry requires about US$240 million in fresh investment. Nielsen also called on the government to accelerate trade protocols to access key markets such as China and India.

Financing remains a major constraint. Local banks are reluctant to provide long-term loans, and exporters are required to surrender 25% of their foreign currency earnings at the official exchange rate, limiting available capital for expansion.

The HDC emphasised that while Zimbabwe’s fruit exports are growing, most gains come from existing plantings. “Without new crops, output will plateau. We need policies that drive investment, turning short-term gains into lasting growth,” the council stated on X.

The message is clear: Zimbabwe’s blueberry industry has momentum, but sustaining growth depends on investment, policy support, and improved access to international markets.