China has approved imports of blueberries from Zimbabwe, opening a new fast-growing market for the African country and creating opportunities to expand the export potential of its horticulture sector, the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) of Zimbabwe said.
The agreement was formalised in a memorandum of understanding signed on September 4.
"Blueberries from Zimbabwe can now be exported to the Chinese market for the first time after the signing of the new protocol between the two countries in Beijing. HDC welcomes this agreement, which gives local producers the opportunity to enter one of the fastest-growing blueberry markets in the world," the statement said.
HDC chief executive Linda Nielsen called the document "an important milestone" for the industry. "Policy must be developed jointly to encourage investment, scale up production to required volumes and strictly comply with China's quality and phytosanitary standards," she stressed.
HDC expects Zimbabwe's blueberry production in 2025 to increase by 50% to reach 12,000 tonnes.
"Driven by healthy-lifestyle trends, blueberry imports into China surged from just 665 tonnes in 2005 to almost 39,000 tonnes in 2024, mainly from Peru and Chile," the release said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met on September 4 in Beijing with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a new level of "sustainable" partnership. Talks took place at the Great Hall of the People on the sidelines of events marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japanese militarism and the end of World War II.
Buynta Bembeeva
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