Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. HORTICULTURE farmers, exporters, and agribusiness stakeholders in Manicaland Province have been urged to directly engage a visiting Chinese horticultural buyer delegation to unlock sustainable, long-term trade opportunities and boost business transactions.
The call comes as top Chinese horticultural buyers are currently in Manicaland, engaging Zimbabwean producers in a programme facilitated by ZimTrade, aimed at securing direct supply agreements for horticultural products.
The visit is part of efforts to strengthen direct export linkages between Zimbabwean producers and the Chinese market, reduce reliance on intermediaries, and position the country’s horticulture sector for expanded trade under new market access opportunities in China.
The programme features business-to-business meetings and farm visits, allowing Chinese buyers to interact first-hand with local producers, assess production practices and discuss updates to trade protocols. It also includes discussions on financing models intended to accelerate Zimbabwe’s horticulture export growth.
The delegation’s programme focuses on high-value products including macadamia nuts, avocados, blueberries, citrus and chillies, with buyers seeking reliable supply, consistent quality standards and strengthened export systems from Zimbabwean partners.
Speaking at the official opening of the Zimbabwe–China Horticulture Buyers Engagement Programme in Mutare yesterday, Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Misheck Mugadza urged local producers to maintain strict product quality to cement business relationships with Chinese buyers.
“I would like to encourage our local horticulture farmers and producers to religiously maintain good product standards, a feat which will forever cement relations with our Chinese buyers,” he said.
Mugadza added that the visit offers Zimbabwean companies and farmers a crucial platform to interact directly with buyers, explore opportunities through structured meetings, and host visiting delegations at farms and pack houses across the province.
“These interactions are critical in building trust, strengthening supply chains, and creating sustainable trade relationships that benefit both Zimbabwe and China,” he said.
Mugadza said agreements forming part of the engagement reflect China’s confidence in Zimbabwe’s agricultural production systems and regulatory standards, adding that the opportunity could help farmers and exporters access one of the world’s largest and most dynamic consumer markets.
“As Zimbabwe, we remain committed to supporting the growth of the horticulture sector as part of the country’s broader economic development agenda,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Huang Minghai, economic and commercial counsellor at the Embassy of China in Zimbabwe, described China’s zero-tariff policy as a key opportunity to boost bilateral agricultural cooperation.
He said China has granted zero-tariff treatment to 53 African nations, including Zimbabwe, effective May 1, adding that the policy is expected to significantly increase agricultural exports and open “a new chapter” for China–Zimbabwe agricultural trade.
Huang urged Zimbabwean stakeholders to seize the opportunity by linking China’s vast consumer market with Zimbabwe’s agricultural potential.
“The policy is expected to expand access to the Chinese market, giving Zimbabwean products stronger price competitiveness and helping the country increase its share in that market,” he said.
“It also aims to promote value addition and industrial upgrading by encouraging investment in agro-processing, moving Zimbabwe up the value chain from raw products to processed, high-value goods, while fostering technology transfer and skills development.”
Huang added that the initiative could help boost exports, reduce reliance on intermediaries, and support the development of a US$1 billion horticulture industry by 2030. Allan Majuru, chief executive officer of ZimTrade, said the programme is designed to strengthen direct trade linkages between Zimbabwean exporters and Chinese buyers through on-the-ground exposure to production systems, export capacity, and quality standards.
“The visit forms part of a broader export promotion strategy to position Zimbabwe as a competitive supplier of premium agricultural products to the Chinese market,” Majuru said.
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