• Zimbabwe’s cotton product exports earned US$5 million between January and April 2026 
• Raw cotton (not carded or combed) dominated with 87% of export volume at US$1.23/kg
• Although earnings grew strongly, the sector remains far below historical capacity, with significant underutilised spinning and textile infrastructure

Harare – Zimbabwe’s cotton sector has posted a striking rebound in export earnings, with cotton products generating US$5 million between January and April 2026 ,a 252% increase from the US$1.4 million recorded in the same period of 2025, according to data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats).

While the headline figure signals momentum in one of the country’s traditional agricultural pillars,the surge remains modest against historical benchmarks and highlights persistent structural weaknesses particularly the heavy reliance on raw exports over value-added processing.

ZimStats figures highlight a mixed picture of progress and untapped potential. Raw cotton (not carded or combed) dominated, accounting for roughly 87% of export volume but only about 69% of value, fetching a modest average price of US$1.23 per kilogram. 

In contrast, men’s or boys’ cotton shirts though representing less than 1% of volume contributed around 7% of value at a far higher US$25 per kg.

Other exported items included cotton yarn, woven fabrics, gloves and mittens, and refined cottonseed oil. The growth was driven by increased shipments across lint, yarn, fabrics, garments, and oil products.

This early-year performance aligns with broader export trends,Zimbabwe’s overall merchandise exports rose sharply in Q1 2026, reflecting efforts to boost foreign currency inflows.

Cotton, once dubbed white gold, was a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy. Pre-2000, the sector thrived with strong smallholder and commercial production, supporting a vibrant textile industry that employed tens of thousands and supplied regional markets. 

Peak seed cotton production hit around 350,000 tonnes in 2012, but output plummeted in subsequent years due to droughts, policy shifts following land reform, input shortages, price volatility, and the collapse of support systems.

Production recovered somewhat in the 2025/2026 season, rising 26% to approximately 77,212 metric tonnes. Targets for future seasons are more ambitious, with expectations of further growth through expanded planting and improved yields.

Successive governments have pursued revival through the long-standing Cotton-to-Clothing (C2C) strategy, which includes reserving a portion of lint (currently 25%) for local processing. 

 A refreshed strategy in late 2025 aims to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for garment exports, boost local content, create jobs, and reduce raw material exports.

The real prize lies beyond raw lint. A single efficiently run medium-sized spinning mill could generate several million dollars in yarn exports annually. Though much of the country’s spinning and textile capacity remains underutilised, with idle spindles and shuttered mills.

Cotton Pro Company Pvt Ltd CEO Tararama Gutu noted that while US$5 million over four months is welcome, “it is evidence of a sector operating far below potential.” He highlighted challenges like financing costs for ginners holding lint stocks and arbitrage opportunities that favor quick raw exports over local processing.

Historically, Zimbabwe’s textile sector was far more strong . Reviving it could multiply earnings per kilogram of cotton many times over while creating employment in rural and urban areas alike.

The sector faces familiar headwinds, climate variability, input costs, market price fluctuations, and competition from synthetic fabrics. 

Contract farming and better extension services have helped stabilise smallholder production, which forms the backbone of the industry, but quality and consistency remain concerns.

Policy tools like the 25% local processing reservation need stricter enforcement and complementary incentives such as power reliability, affordable finance, and skills development to shift the needle toward garments and finished products.