UK–Zim Trade Grows 15.6% to US$483 Million

Zim Now Reporter

Trade between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom surged by 15.6% in the year ending March 2025, reaching a total of US$483 million, according to official data from the UK Department for Business and Trade.

The increase reflects a US$65 million rise from the US$418 million recorded in the previous year, highlighting strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

Zimbabwe exported goods and services worth US$248 million to the UK, up 5.6% from last year, while imports from the UK jumped 28.3% to US$235 million.

The bulk of Zimbabwe’s exports comprised fruits and vegetables, the top-performing category, which registered a 53.5% growth over the period. Other major exports included metal ores and scrap, beverages and tobacco, as well as jewellery and works of art.

On the other hand, Zimbabwe’s key imports from the UK were cars, road vehicles (excluding cars), general industrial machinery, and pharmaceutical products.

Of all UK imports from Zimbabwe in the four quarters to March 2025, only 3.2% (US$7.9 million) were goods, while services accounted for a staggering 96.8% (US$240 million).

UK imports of Zimbabwean goods rose by 50% (US$2.6 million), while service imports increased by 4.6% (US$10.6 million) during the review period.

“Of all UK imports from Zimbabwe in the four quarters to the end of March 2025, US$7.9 million or 3.2% were goods, and US$240 million or 96.8% were services.
In the same period, UK imports of goods from Zimbabwe increased by 50%, or US$2.6 million in current prices, compared to the four quarters to the end of March 2024, while UK imports of services increased by 4.6%, or US$10.6 million in current prices,” said the UK Department for Business and Trade.

The UK’s trade deficit with Zimbabwe narrowed to US$13 million by March 2025, down from US$51.7 million the previous year.

Meanwhile, the UK reported a trade in goods surplus of US$60 million, up from US$53 million the prior year.

The latest trade data reflects the impact of improved trade relations under the UK’s Economic Partnership Agreement with Eastern and Southern African countries, which allows Zimbabwean goods duty-free access to the UK market.