BLUEBERRY FARMERS SET SIGHTS ON CHINA’S LUCRATIVE MARKET

Inside a greenhouse located in Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland West Province, workers carefully hand-pick fresh blueberries from lush green shrubs, ensuring only the best fruit makes it to the baskets. In recent years, Zimbabwe’s blueberry industry has grown rapidly, bringing local farmers higher incomes. This year, producers are setting their sights on exporting blueberries to China, one of the world’s largest and most lucrative markets.
Earlier this month, Zimbabwe signed a trade agreement allowing fresh blueberry exports to China, a move farmers say will spur production to meet the surge in demand. “It is a huge market. They are the biggest exporters of blueberries, among the biggest growers of blueberries, and also one of the biggest importers of blueberries. So, it really has taken off there,” said Alistair Campbell, a blueberry farmer from the province.
Supported by favorable climate conditions, increased agricultural investment, and rising demand for this healthy food, Zimbabwe’s blueberry industry is expanding. According to the country’s Horticultural Development Council (HDC), production is expected to rise from 8,000 metric tons in 2024 to 12,000 metric tons in 2025.
In a statement following the signing of the blueberry export agreement, the HDC called for policies to increase investment, expand production to required volumes, and ensure that Zimbabwe’s blueberries consistently meet China’s quality and phytosanitary standards. Joseph Kakoto, president of the Zimbabwe Young Farmers Association for Sustainable Development, a youth-led organization, expressed optimism about the growth prospects of the Chinese export market, saying the protocol would attract new investment in plantations, packhouses, and cold chain infrastructure, creating jobs along the value chain. “This protocol is a win-win. Zimbabwe gains access to a lucrative market, while China secures reliable food imports,” Kakoto said.
The deal, he said, signals Zimbabwe’s entry into high-value horticultural exports such as blueberries, opening the door to greater foreign currency earnings and investment.
“I am very confident about the Chinese market because it is huge and steadily growing with a rising middle class that demands healthy premium foods such as blueberries. Zimbabwe’s climate and soil are highly suitable for premium berries, giving us a competitive edge,” he said.