• Zimbabwe projects a 50% increase in blueberry production: from 8,000 tonnes in 2024 to 12,000 tonnes in 2025
• Blueberry exports surged from US$11.1 million 2020 to US$50.1 million 2024
• Zimbabwe's May–October harvest window gives early access to global markets ahead of northern producers

Harare-Zimbabwe is projecting a 50% increase in blueberry production this year  rising from 8,000 tonnes in 2024 to 12,000 tonnes in 2025 as the country ramps up efforts to diversify its export portfolio and reduce dependency on mineral commodities.

The announcement was made during the celebration of World Blueberry Day on July 8, 2025, reflecting growing momentum in one of Zimbabwe’s most dynamic agricultural sectors.

This projected growth is not only a short term milestone but a strategic step towards Zimbabwe’s long-term goal of producing 30,000 tonnes of blueberries annually by 2030.

As the country shifts towards high-value horticultural exports, blueberries have emerged as one of the flagship crop  offering not just foreign currency earnings, but also rural employment, agricultural industrialisation, and export diversification.

Zimbabwe's journey with blueberries began in 2008, with small-scale trial plantings. Nearly a decade later, in 2017, the country entered the international market with its first commercial exports. Since then, the growth has been remarkable.

According to ZimTrade and TradeMap 2025, Zimbabwe’s blueberry export earnings grew from US$11.1 million in 2020 to US$50.1 million in 2024  a 351% increase in just four years. Export volumes followed a similar trajectory, climbing from 2,503 tonnes to 6,240 tonnes during the same period. This expansion has been supported by increased global demand for healthy, nutrient-rich foods and by investment from both local and international horticultural firms.

The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the industry stands at 34.3%, outpacing many traditional export sectors, including certain minerals. Blueberries have now become one of Zimbabwe’s fastest-growing horticultural exports.

According to the Horticultural Development Council (HDC), most of Zimbabwe’s blueberries are cultivated in the Mashonaland provinces and Manicaland, where large-scale farms are producing high-quality fruit for export to Europe, the United Kingdom, and the Far East.

Blueberries have become the country’s dominant berry export, eclipsing other varieties such as grapes, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, and bilberries, and earning Zimbabwe a niche reputation in global berry markets.

According to ZimStats, Zimbabwe’s berry exports surged from 5.6 million kilograms in 2023 to 8.39 million kilograms in 2024, representing a nearly 50% year-on-year growth. Of that volume, blueberries accounted for the lion’s share further cementing their role in the country’s evolving export strategy.

The expansion is not only lucrative but also labour intensive, supporting job creation across farming, logistics, packaging, and export services. Industry stakeholders, including commercial farmers, agribusinesses, and government agencies, have been instrumental in driving this growth.

In 2024, the berries were 100% exported, with no domestic market activity, according to the ZIMSTAT, making the sector a direct source of foreign currency inflows.

Despite the impressive growth, scaling the industry to meet 2030 targets requires significant investment. The cost of establishing a single hectare of blueberries ranges between US$70,000 and US$120,000, due to the need for specialised irrigation systems, frost protection equipment, and high-yield plant varieties.

Plans to expand production by 50 hectares would require US$5 million to US$6 million in capital. To support this, farmers have proposed structured financing models  combining debt and equity  with five-year repayment periods and interest rates of around 10% annually. Industry leaders are also calling for government-backed finance facilities to enable the participation of indigenous farmers in the sector.

Access to consistent electricity is another critical enabler, especially for powering irrigation systems, with each plant requiring about 5 litres of water daily. In addition, strong cold chain logistics infrastructure  including pack sheds, refrigerated trucks, and sorting machines is necessary to preserve fruit quality during transport to overseas markets.

Capacity building is equally important. As blueberry cultivation is still relatively new in Zimbabwe, training programmes for farmers and agribusiness workers are essential to maintain global production and export standards.

Zimbabwe’s economy remains heavily dependent on mining, which accounts for the majority of export revenues. However, the sector is exposed to price volatility, resource depletion, and geopolitical uncertainty, making it a risky foundation for long-term economic growth.

Blueberries  and the broader horticulture sector offer a climate-resilient, renewable, and scalable alternative. Unlike minerals, fruits can be harvested annually, with consistent yields and lower environmental impact. They also offer value addition potential through processing into juices, dried fruits, supplements, and more.

This transition aligns with Vision 2030, the government’s national development blueprint aimed at transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy. Central to this vision is the need to grow non-traditional exports, increase rural incomes, and modernise the agriculture sector.

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