Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Agriculture Specialist Writer
EXPORT earnings from the spice and herbs segment of the horticulture sector hit US$4 million between January and September this year incited by a high demand for African products by European markets.
Statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats) show that the country has earned US$4 097 181 from the export of 1 965 368 kg of spices and herbs.
Dried, crushed or ground pepper, dried fruits of the genus capsicum or pimenta, crushed or ground fruits of genus capsicum or pimenta and chillies are among the products under the spices and herbs section.
The lockdown induced by the Covid-19 virus in 2019 resulted in many consumers being health conscious with the spices and herbs section endearing to a lot of consumers, who prefer nutrient rich products for healthy eating. This has resulted in the country’s spices and herbs export earnings rising a whopping 120 percent from US$ 2 345 948 in 2021 to US$5 171 898 in 2023.
Source: ZimStats
A local global good agronomic practice (Global GAP) certified and Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) registered company, Dombera Farm, is supporting smallholder farmers to access international markets.
Dombera Farm managing director, Mrs Claire Bailey said her organisation provided farmers with top quality plant genetics to produce African Bird Eye Chilli and training on sustainable farming techniques that protect their natural resources and boost their income.
“As one of the five lead firms in Zimbabwe selected to participate in the UK Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP), Dombera Farm acts as a centralised hub to grade and package products, provides transport and ultimately creates market linkages. We currently have 70 smallholder farmers on seven hectares of land,” said Mrs Bailey.
The growing appetite for spicy foods has resulted in Europe becoming the second biggest importer of dried chillies in the world and developing countries are the major producers. High quality and sustainably produced chillies fetch high prices on the market.
Zimbabwe produces chillies with no artificial colours or flavours under high adherence to environmental and international standards. The country’s unique selling point is the slow grown, mountain chillies of superior colour and taste, sustainably produced by smallholder farmers under high environmental standards.
Recently, the centre for the promotion of imports from developing countries (CBI) said the global supply of spices was changing and disrupting the European supply chain.
“Shipping issues (Red Sea obstruction) are causing delays and extra supply costs, consumption growing faster than production in key producing origins (Indonesia, India, China) and crop failure (floods and droughts) as a result of climate change are causing this disruption.
“Many African countries have good climatic conditions for growing spices and are nearer than the traditional sources like India or Indonesia,” the analysis showed.
It revealed that European imports from Africa had been on an upward trajectory from 2020 to 2023 with capsicum, ginger, seeds of anise, cloves and coriander seeds being the most traded spices.
The top five African exporting countries to Europe are Zambia, Egypt, Madagascar, Nigeria and Morocco.
The main success factors for African spices to capture the EU market are compliance with EU quality regulations, embracing sustainability, investing in market development and adoption to customer needs.
Main hazards in spices are residues of agro-chemicals exceeding EU maximum residue levels (MRL), microbiological hazards, salmonella, mycotoxins, authenticity and food-approved packaging and correct labelling.
