Mtandazo Dube
Zimbabwean businesses, farmers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs have been presented with a significant opportunity to expand beyond the domestic market following China’s introduction of zero-tariff treatment for qualifying exports from Zimbabwe and other African countries.
The arrangement, which took effect on May 1, 2026, offers duty-free access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets, creating an opportunity to increase exports, generate foreign currency, stimulate production and accelerate industrialisation.
But the opportunity will only translate into economic benefits if Zimbabwean businesses move beyond simply acknowledging the policy and begin actively positioning themselves to exploit it.
China Is Already Buying Zimbabwean Products
The opportunity is not speculative, Zimbabwe’s trade relationship with China is already substantial. Bilateral trade reached approximately US$4.4 billion in 2025, representing a 15 percent increase from the previous year. China imported goods worth approximately US$2.56 billion from Zimbabwe, leaving the country with a trade surplus of about US$720 million.
However, Zimbabwe’s exports remain heavily concentrated in minerals and tobacco, leaving considerable room for diversification into horticulture, manufactured products, processed foods and other higher-value goods. The zero-tariff arrangement offers an opportunity to broaden that export base and strengthen Zimbabwe’s participation in the Chinese market.
Recent participation by Zimbabwean companies at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) provides encouraging evidence of the commercial possibilities. ZimTrade Export Promotion Manager Vuyiswa Mafu said the response from Chinese buyers had been positive, with 12 Zimbabwean companies showcasing products ranging from horticulture and essential oils to arts and crafts.
“The Chinese are more interested in African products, and our response at the Zimbabwean pavilion has indeed been very good,” she said.
Stagri Brands reported significant interest in its Tejaswini chilli brand, with the company looking to translate that interest into actual exports. The company has production capacity of at least 50 tonnes monthly.
Crafts’ R Us also reported interest in bulk orders, while Kaza Natural Oils described the response to its products as encouraging.
These developments demonstrate that Zimbabwean products can attract attention in international markets. The next challenge is converting that interest into sustained commercial exports.
Agriculture And Manufacturing Must Lead The Expansion
Agriculture presents particularly significant opportunities, with Zimbabwe already making progress in exporting blueberries to China. Horticultural producers, farmers and agricultural cooperatives should explore opportunities in fresh produce, dried fruits, chillies, macadamia nuts, avocados and other products capable of meeting Chinese market requirements.
The opportunity also extends to food processors, manufacturers, leather businesses, textile companies and producers of locally manufactured consumer goods. The emphasis should increasingly be on value addition.
Rather than relying predominantly on raw commodity exports, Zimbabwean businesses should explore processing, packaging and branding products locally to capture a greater share of the value chain. This could stimulate investment, expand production, create employment and strengthen demand for locally produced raw materials.
The opportunity is not exclusively reserved for large corporations or established exporters.
Small and medium-sized enterprises can participate through organised production, cooperatives, export aggregators and partnerships with established distributors.
A small food-processing company, agricultural cooperative or natural-products business could potentially access international buyers if it develops competitive products, meets the relevant standards and establishes reliable supply arrangements.
Information, market intelligence and export support will therefore be critical.
ZimTrade has published guidance to help businesses understand the arrangement, including rules of origin, customs procedures and applicable sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.
Its chief executive, Allan Majuru, described the development as “one of the most significant trade openings Zimbabwean exporters have been offered in recent years”.
He added that understanding the requirements would determine exporters’ success in exploiting the opportunity.
Businesses should therefore engage ZimTrade early, establish whether their products qualify and familiarise themselves with the necessary certification and export procedures.
Zero tariffs do not automatically guarantee market access. Products must satisfy applicable rules of origin, product standards and regulatory requirements. Agricultural exporters, in particular, must comply with Chinese registration and phytosanitary requirements.
A Call To Action For Zimbabwean Businesses
Government has already recognised the commercial significance of the arrangement.
Information Minister Zhemu Soda described the opportunity as “low-hanging fruit” for Zimbabwean businesses.
“Those who are into agriculture and other sectors should take advantage of it to increase trade with China. It’s a good opportunity for expanded trade,” he said.
The Competition and Tariff Commission chairman, Jimmy Psillos, similarly described the arrangement as a strategic opportunity, opening access to one of the world’s largest and most dynamic consumer markets.
But the responsibility to exploit the opportunity ultimately rests with producers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs. Businesses should now be identifying products they can supply, assessing production capacity, establishing relationships with Chinese buyers and investing in the quality, packaging and logistics required to compete internationally.
The arrangement for Zimbabwe is initially scheduled to run until April 30, 2028, making the period particularly important for businesses seeking to establish themselves in the Chinese market.
China’s zero-tariff arrangement should not be treated as another diplomatic announcement. Its significance lies in the potential to transform Zimbabwean businesses into stronger exporters, expand domestic production and create new employment opportunities.
Zimbabwe has the agricultural potential, natural resources, entrepreneurial talent and manufacturing experience to supply a much wider range of products to international markets.
What is required now is ambition, preparation and investment.
Government must facilitate. Financial institutions must support. Producers must increase output. Manufacturers must innovate. Entrepreneurs must explore new markets.
Not every Zimbabwean product will automatically find buyers in China, but qualifying businesses have been presented with a commercial advantage that deserves serious attention.
China has opened a wider door. Zimbabwean businesses must now find the products, the capacity and the ambition to walk through it.
