Zim’s blueberry production continues to rise

Edgar Vhera

Agriculture Specialist Writer

THE projected 43 percent increase in blueberry exports from 5 000 tonnes in 2023 to 8 000 is testimony to the Horticultural Recovery and Growth Plan’s (HRGP) success with exporters now eyeing the Chinese market.

The second round of the Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment (CLAFA-2) report for the 2023/2024 summer season revealed that blueberry production increased by 38 percent, rising from 5 787 tonnes in the 2022/23 season to 8 000 tonnes in the 2023/24 term.

“The area under blueberries rose from 643 hectares in the 2022/23 season to 650 hectares the following season. The yield also increased by 33 percent, from nine tonnes per hectare to 12,” added the report.

Speaking at the third edition of the horticulture investment conference held in Harare recently, the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) said current blueberry production is on 600 hectares and aims to increase it to 850 hectares for a projected output of 10,200 tonnes per year.

“The current value of blueberries is US$25, 2 million and we are targeting to increase it to US$35, 7 million. An investment of US$30 million is required and 3,400 new jobs will be created,” said the HDC.

The HDC disclosed that Zimbabwe had an advantage in terms of out-of-season blueberry production, with its product having an export window period of three to eight weeks before the main suppliers (Peru and Eastern Europe).

“In 2024, the industry expects to increase output to 8 000 tonnes, with this growth coming from plant maturity and higher yields rather than new plantings. This reflects the funding challenges that the industry continues to face, despite the recent growth,” the HDC said in an earlier seasonal update.

Among the challenges hindering the envisaged growth are issues such as security of land tenure, poor road infrastructure in some areas, high utility costs and a fluctuating exchange rate, the HDC continued.

“We are working with the Zimbabwe Investment Development Authority (ZIDA) to establish special economic zones and sector-specific incentives. This would offer tax breaks and incentives to attract investment. Energy costs are high, but this presents opportunities for investments in renewable energy for irrigation and cold chain infrastructure,” the HDC pointed out.

Zimbabwe’s unique selling proposition (USP) in the blueberry industry is quality, taste and production time.

Currently, Zimbabwean berries access European Union (EU) markets through the Netherlands, which acts as a hub for fresh produce into the EU.

Zimbabwe’s next major target is to enter the Indian and Chinese markets, with the HDC currently working towards a phytosanitary agreement for blueberries in these new markets.

“Facilitating the China protocol for blueberries is of critical strategic importance for Zimbabwe, as our competitors in the region (including South Africa) do not have such a protocol yet. Gaining market share before our competitors would be a huge win for the industry,” said the HDC.

A blueberry farmer and Nhimbe Fresh Exports chairman, Mr Edwin Moyo, concurred, saying they aimed to tap directly into the lucrative Chinese market once a trade protocol between China and Zimbabwe was approved.

He acknowledged that the Chinese market is growing saying it would be profitable to export directly from the farm to China.

Kuminda’s chief executive officer, Mr Clarence Mwale said the Chinese market offered a lucrative opportunity for Zimbabwean producers.

“We are working with the Government to understand the Chinese market’s requirements and help farmers build the capacity and systems needed to access it.

“Once approved, we will focus on meeting supermarkets’ requirements and other market demands in China,” he said.

As the country targets exporting 30 000 tonnes of blueberries by 2030, cultivation of the crop has received a boost with new farmers getting contracted to plant a new blueberry variety.

Kuminda recently launched a new blueberry variety in Harare and called on small-scale farmers to register for contracting.

Kuminda is a multinational company founded in Zimbabwe with the goal of empowering African farmers by linking them with international markets.

“We have done trial plantings and are now preparing land for 20 hectares under Kuminda, with 30 percent of the fruit to be harvested within 12 months.

“We have a contract for 2 000 hectares for the Southern Africa region,” Mr Mwale said.

Kuminda holds the master license for Southern Africa and boasts expertise in cold storage, greenhouse structures, soil and substrates, finance and banking, as well as small-scale value chain development.

Zimbabwe’s blueberry industry began with small experimental production in 2008, but it was not until 2017 that it debuted on the global market with its first commercial exports of the crop.

The blueberry sector has recorded tremendous growth, with export earnings surging from US$1 million in 2018 to US$14 million in 2022. The introduction of a new variety that can be harvested twice a year will further contribute towards achieving the 2030 target.

Statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats) show that berry export volume rose 221 percent from 1 743 744 kilogrammes in 2020 to 5 605 622 in 2023.

Source: ZimStats

In the first nine months of 2024, the volume of berry exports has risen 20 percent to 5 318 818 kilogrammes, up from 4 415 194 during the same period last year.

The blueberry marketing season runs between April and October, with 60 percent of the product harvested between August and October.