ZimNow News Desk
Zimbabwe has exported its first shipment of blueberries to China, marking a major step in the country’s push to grow high-value horticultural exports into one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
The milestone was confirmed by Rossouw Lambrechts, Key Account Manager for Blueberries at Delecta Fruit, who said the first Zimbabwean blueberries had been imported into China after a demanding process involving fumigation, packing, transit and compliance with protocols.
“History made! Proud to be part of the first Zimbabwean blueberries being imported into China,” Lambrechts posted on LinkedIn.
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The shipment follows the phytosanitary protocol signed between Zimbabwe and China in 2025, which opened the Chinese market to fresh Zimbabwean blueberries for the first time. China’s General Administration of Customs later published the import requirements for fresh blueberries from Zimbabwe, setting out the inspection, quarantine, orchard, packing, traceability and treatment conditions exporters must meet.
The development is a breakthrough for Zimbabwe’s fast-growing blueberry sector, which has been positioning itself as a premium supplier to global markets. Zimbabwe’s blueberry output was projected to rise from about 8,000 metric tonnes in 2024 to 12,000 metric tonnes in 2025, according to the Horticultural Development Council.
Industry players say the China opening is important not just because of the size of the market, but because it gives Zimbabwean growers another route beyond traditional export destinations. China’s expanding middle class and growing demand for premium fresh fruit have made it an attractive market for horticultural exporters.
Exporters still have to test the most reliable routes, manage cold-chain requirements, meet China’s sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and keep quality consistent over long-distance supply lines.
“Now the real work begins. As an industry, we will continue pushing for policies that support increased production, as we keep testing the best routes to ensure a reliable supply of premium Zimbabwean blueberries to Chinese consumers,” the Horticultural Development Council remarked on LinkedIn.
The sector has also been calling for policies that support increased production, including better access to long-term finance, competitive input costs and export-friendly regulations. Reuters previously reported that establishing one hectare of blueberries in Zimbabwe can cost at least US$100,000 because growers need imported plants, specialised growing media, protective structures, cold storage and reliable water systems.
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