馃嚳馃嚰NewsDay Zimbabwe路19 hours ago
Zimbabwe exports first blueberry shipment to China, opening new market
Zimbabwe has successfully dispatched its first commercial shipment of fresh blueberries to China, marking its entry into one of the world's largest and fastest-growing fruit markets. Harare-based exporter Delecta Fruit sent three trial airfreight pallets to Shanghai, meeting Beijing's strict phytosanitary requirements. This development follows a phytosanitary protocol signed between Zimbabwe and China in September 2025 during President Emmerson Mnangagwa's visit to Beijing. Zimbabwean orchards must undergo inspection and registration, implement integrated pest management systems, and ensure fruit fumigation or cold sterilization before export. Zimbabwe also benefits from China's zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries, which became effective on May 1, 2026, allowing Zimbabwean blueberries to enter the Chinese market duty-free. Rossouw Lambrechts, Delecta Fruit's blueberry category head, noted that China presents an opportunity for large volumes, comparable to the European Union and United Kingdom combined. China's blueberry imports have significantly increased from 665 tonnes in 2005 to nearly 39,000 tonnes in 2024. The Horticultural Development Council reported that Zimbabwe had approximately 650 hectares under blueberry production in 2025, exporting around 9,500 tonnes, with projections to reach 850 hectares and 12,000 tonnes in 2026. Zimbabwe is Africa's third-largest blueberry producer, after Morocco and South Africa, with exports growing tenfold since 2018 to existin
