Tiyani Hahlani

Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector has scored a major breakthrough after securing access to the Chinese market for blueberries, following the signing of a trade protocol during President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s state visit to Beijing on September 4.

The deal is expected to boost one of the country’s fastest-growing agricultural industries, giving local farmers entry into one of the world’s largest and most dynamic consumer markets for fresh fruit.

But while the milestone has been widely celebrated, growers face mounting challenges. Pests such as the Spotted Wing Drosophila, mealybugs, fruit flies, and beetles threaten exports, while the sector continues to grapple with limited long-term financing.

Meeting strict international phytosanitary standards remains a constant battle.

To address these concerns, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, through its Plant Quarantine Services Institute (PQSI), hosted a stakeholder consultation workshop in Harare on September 11.

The meeting, organized with the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) and supported by Trade Mark Africa (TMA), brought together government officials, farmers, exporters, and development partners.

Dr. Dumisani Kutywayo, Chief Director in the Directorate of Research, Education and Specialist Services, described pest interceptions as a national concern.

“The production and export of flowers and blueberries has become a true success story. The recent access to China is a major opportunity, but we must confront the pest and disease challenges that threaten our exports.

“Between 2020 and 2021 alone, our horticulture sector received 56 notifications, 43 of which were linked to harmful organisms such as fall armyworm, silver leaf whitefly, and false codling moth. These pests are not only biological threats—they are also trade barriers,” said Dr Kutywayo.

HDC representative Monica Mabika stressed that Zimbabwe’s reputation for high-quality produce was at stake.

“Zimbabwe’s flowers and blueberries are globally recognized for their exceptional quality. But this can only be sustained if we meet the highest phytosanitary standards.

“The repeated pest interceptions we have experienced are a wake-up call. This meeting allows us to strengthen compliance systems and ensure smallholder farmers also benefit from export markets,” said Mabika.

Trade Mark Africa outlined ongoing investments to curb interceptions, including developing inspection protocols, upgrading laboratories towards ISO 17025 accreditation, piloting digital traceability systems, and expanding cold chain and packhouse infrastructure.

“By 2027, the goal is to reduce pest interceptions by 30 percent, cut compliance costs by up to 30 percent, and increase smallholder participation in certified exports to over 25 percent,” the organization noted.

Zimbabwe’s horticulture exports are currently valued at more than US$100 million annually, led by blueberries, flowers, citrus, and avocados.

The European Union remains the largest buyer, accounting for 42 percent of shipments. But experts warn that under global sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regimes, even a single pest interception can cost farmers and exporters millions in lost market access.