ZimTade, Zimbabwe's national trade development and promotion organization, will host the Zimbabwe-China Avocado and Macadamia Inward Buyers Mission from April 8 to 10, 2025, in Chipinge. The initiative aims to enhance Zimbabwe's trade relations with China, a major global market.
The mission will connect Zimbabwean avocado and macadamia producers with Chinese buyers, aiming to expand agricultural exports to China. This follows the "Protocol for Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Zimbabwean Fresh Avocado to China" signed at the Forum on China- Africa Cooperation summit in Beijing, September 2024. This protocol facilitates the export process of fresh avocados from Zimbabwe to China.
ZimTrade CEO Allan Majuru stated, "China represents a massive opportunity for Zimbabwean agriculture, and this mission will not only deepen our trade relations with China but will also open doors for Zimbabwean producers to tap into a market that is rapidly growing in demand for high-quality agricultural products like avocados and macadamias."
China has become Zimbabwe's third-largest trading partner, rising from the 13th position in 2019. In 2023, China imported US$151.2 million in avocados and US$22.7 million in macadamia nuts, with Zimbabwe contributing US$8.5 million. According to Similo Nkala, director of operations at ZimTrade, "China's growing appetite for avocados and macadamias is not just a passing trend; it is a reflection of changing dietary habits and an increasing focus on healthy eating."
The event will feature a seminar and B2B networking session, allowing Zimbabwean producers to engage with Chinese buyers. Farm and company visits will offer insights into Zimbabwe's farming practices. The mission is expected to attract 70 companies from Manicaland Province and a delegation of four Chinese buyers.
Source: NewsDay