Zimbabwe blueberries, having received "zero tariff" tickets, will directly compete with those from Peru and Chile.

After Zimbabwe's blueberries were granted access by China's General Administration of Customs, they will receive zero tariff treatment due to China's announcement of zero tariffs on products from 100% of the tariff items for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. According to the Farmers Weekly, the Zimbabwe blueberry industry is lobbying the government for policy reforms to help its products export and gain a certain share in the Chinese market.

Zimbabwe began small-scale blueberry cultivation in 2008 and achieved its first blueberry export in 2017. The blueberry harvest season runs from April to October, with 60% of the blueberries harvested between August and October. Since 2018, Zimbabwe's blueberry exports have increased tenfold, with major markets including the EU, the UK, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Currently, Peru is the world's largest blueberry exporter and China's main source of blueberries, with exports to China amounting to 34,606.7 tons in 2024. Chile follows closely with exports of 4,130.5 tons. The Zimbabwe blueberry industry hopes to join the ranks of the world's leading blueberry exporters by entering the Chinese market.

The Horticultural Development Corporation (HDC) of Zimbabwe stated in a release that the country's blueberry production is expected to grow from 8,000 tons in 2024 to 12,000 tons in 2025, an increase of 50%. Currently, Morocco is Africa's leading blueberry producer and exporter, with production exceeding 80,000 tons in 2024. The HDC believes that if the government implements supportive policies to encourage investment, Zimbabwe could become Africa's largest blueberry exporter.

The Kuminda company in Zimbabwe is dedicated to helping small and medium-sized farms in Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe, export fresh agricultural products. CEO Clarence Mwale of Kuminda stated that the Zimbabwe blueberry industry needs over $100 million in investment to double its cultivation scale to 1,500 hectares. Kuminda has already signed a contract with the blueberry breeding company Fruit Vision to plant 2,000 hectares of blueberry varieties developed in the Netherlands.

Image source: Pixabay 2025 International Fruit and Vegetable Report. All rights reserved. For reprints, please contact the International Fruit and Vegetable Report for permission and credit.