The Zimbabwean government has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform its horticulture sector into a $2 billion industry by 2030, aiming to revitalize a once-thriving sector and significantly boost export revenues.
Currently, Zimbabwe’s horticultural exports average around US $80 million annually. The Horticulture Development Council (HDC) projects that, with strategic investments and policy support, the sector can achieve the $2 billion target in the coming years. Key initiatives include doubling citrus production from 4,000 to 8,000 hectares, potentially adding $84 million in annual export revenue, and expanding blueberry cultivation from 600 to 1,500 hectares, with an expected yield of $112 million per year.
Achieving this growth will require substantial investment. The HDC estimates that $1.2 billion is needed to finance the expansion, which could create approximately 150,000 jobs and cultivate 602,000 hectares of various crops.
The government’s strategy includes the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan, focusing on both commercial and rural horticulture development. The Presidential Horticulture Scheme, part of this plan, aims to support 1.8 million rural households through initiatives like household tree planting, village nutrition gardens, and school-based horticulture projects.
International partnerships are also playing a role in this transformation. Last year, Zimbabwe and China signed a citrus trade protocol, leading to the country’s first citrus shipment to China in August. Further negotiations are underway to expand exports to include avocados and pecans.
With these concerted efforts, Zimbabwe aims to reclaim its position as a leading exporter of horticultural products, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth and aligning with its Vision 2030 goals.
