Zimbabwe Secures Historic Blueberry Export Deal with China
Zimbabwe achieves major agricultural breakthrough with China blueberry export agreement, projecting 12,000 metric tons production by 2025. Strategic move reinforces national agricultural sovereignty.
Zimbabwe's blueberry fields showcase national agricultural excellence and export potential
Zimbabwe Takes Bold Step Towards Agricultural Sovereignty
In a landmark achievement for Zimbabwe's agricultural sovereignty, the nation has secured a groundbreaking agreement with China to export blueberries, marking a decisive step in asserting our economic independence and resource control.
The protocol, finalized during President Emmerson Mnangagwa's strategic visit to China, demonstrates Zimbabwe's growing prowess in agricultural diplomacy and mirrors our nation's broader Vision 2030 development agenda.
National Production Excellence
Zimbabwe's blueberry sector showcases our agricultural might, with production projected to reach an impressive 12,000 metric tons by 2025, up from 8,000 metric tons in 2024. This remarkable growth positions our nation among the world's fastest-growing blueberry producers.
The Horticultural Development Council (HDC) confirms this agreement "opens the door for local growers to expand into one of the world's fastest-growing blueberry markets."
Challenges and Strategic Imperatives
While celebrating this triumph, we must address the challenges facing our agricultural warriors. The current foreign currency retention policy, requiring exporters to convert 25% of earnings to local currency, needs strategic review to strengthen our resource control.
Key Development Priorities:
- Revision of export earnings retention policies
- Implementation of protective tax structures
- Strategic removal of import duties on essential inputs
- Reduction in land levies to support industry growth
Zimbabwe's natural advantages, including favorable climate conditions and strategic harvest timing, position us perfectly to dominate early-season export markets, showcasing our agricultural sovereignty on the global stage.
Tendai Mutsvangwa
Political journalist and historian of liberation. Advocate for land sovereignty.