Zimbabwe has emerged as the global leader in blueberry exports, experiencing unparalleled growth, according to a recent EastFruit report.
Over the past five years, blueberry exports from Zimbabwe
have increased by an impressive 63% annually, reaching a total of 1,200 tonnes.
In 2022, Zimbabwe saw an 85% growth in blueberry exports,
surpassing 5,000 tonnes, elevating the country to the top 15 global exporters
list.
According to a recent report, Zimbabwe is presently the
foremost global exporter of blueberries, outpacing all other nations in growth.
The study by EastFruit highlights a surge in blueberry
farming investments in Zimbabwe, with exports rising by 63% annually or 1,200
tonnes over the last five years.
The report outlines that new plantations are primarily
established by investors from neighbouring South Africa. These investors often
diversify or relocate production to Zimbabwe due to highly favourable climatic
conditions, access to high-quality water for irrigation, and cost-effective
labour.
Furthermore, there has been an uptick in investments from
other countries, contributing to the development of new blueberry plantations
in Zimbabwe. As per the report, exports witnessed an 85% growth, amounting to
over 5,000 tonnes in 2022.
This propelled the country into the top 15 global
blueberry-exporting nations, surpassing Serbia in volume, according to Andrij
Yarmak, an economist at the investment department of the Food and Agriculture
Ministry UN organisations (FAO).
EastFruit experts anticipate continued growth in blueberry
exports from Zimbabwe in 2023, projecting a further 30-40% increase to reach
6.5-7.0 thousand tonnes. Given the elevated price levels for blueberries
resulting from a poor harvest in Peru, Zimbabwe stands to gain substantially
from blueberry exports in the upcoming season.
A significant portion of Zimbabwe's blueberries is exported
to South Africa, possibly for subsequent re-exports. The country also directly
supplies fresh blueberries to the UK, EU, Middle East countries, and Russia.
Business Insider Africa
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