HARARE, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's merchandise exports increased by 61 percent to 10.4 billion U.S. dollars in the first three quarters of 2026, the country's trade development and promotion body ZimTrade said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the 2026 Zimbabwe Export Week Buyers Seminar in Harare, ZimTrade chief executive officer Allan Majuru said value-added exports grew by 68 percent to 671 million dollars, up from 400 million dollars in the same period last year.
"Our target is to have a billion-dollar value-added export sector by 2030, and I think we are on course to get there," he said.
Imports rose by 34.8 percent to 9.76 billion dollars from 7.24 billion dollars in the same period in 2025, Majuru said. Zimbabwe was increasingly importing machinery and equipment to support industrialization.
Majuru stressed the importance of expanding domestic processing of the country's resources to boost the contribution of local industries to economic growth and job creation. "Greater processing at home can then create demand for local suppliers while developing technical skills and employment," he said.
He also highlighted opportunities for Zimbabwean businesses to expand into regional and international markets, noting that trade arrangements under the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and China's zero-tariff treatment offered exporters access to international markets.
Speaking at the same event, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Albert Chimbindi highlighted opportunities arising from China's zero-tariff market access for African products.
China extended zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties from May 1 this year. "This development presents enormous opportunities for our producers and exporters across agriculture, horticulture, manufacturing and value-added sectors," Chimbindi said.
He added that successful negotiations of export protocols for blueberries, citrus and avocados in recent years demonstrated China's growing confidence in Zimbabwe's agricultural production systems and quality standards.
"This enhanced market access is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe's export earnings, attract investment into productive sectors and support our strategic objective of diversifying export markets beyond traditional destinations," Chimbindi said.
According to the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe, bilateral trade between China and Zimbabwe surged to 5.01 billion dollars in the first three quarters of 2026, up 51.6 percent year on year.
The Zimbabwe Export Week Buyers Seminar brings together Zimbabwean exporters and foreign buyers to expand market access and develop international partnerships. ■