This year, Zimbabwe has witnessed sustained export growth, in part thanks to spirited economic diplomacy by president Mnangagwa. Zimbabwe's exports to non-traditional markets in particular have witnessed unprecedented growth. For example, Zimbabwe's exports grew by 12,8 percent, from US$3,75 billion the previous year to US$4,22 billion this year. This growth has been anchored in Zimbabwean products finding new markets in countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China, Belgium and Italy.
Exports to China have grown to around US$454 million during January-August this year, compared to the same period in 2019, where exports amounted to only around US$12 million. Exports to Italy have also recorded an impressive growth during January-August this year. They stood at US$40,38 million, up from around uss1,49 million recorded during same period in 2019.
The eastern Zimbabwean province of Manicaland is positioned to tap into the global market for macadamia nuts, which grew from around USS220 million in 2017, to around US$286 million in 2019, and are expected to reach over U$300 million in 2022.
Already, production of macadamia has been growing in Manicaland, according to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and increased output makes it easy to meet quantity requirements in export markets. Figures show that annual production of macadamia increased to 10,000 tons in 2020, from 5,494 tons in 2015.
Source: sundaymail.co.zw