Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s macadamia nut sector is celebrating a major achievement as exports of the crop surged by 53 percent, increasing from 5.24 million kilogrammes (kg) in 2023 to 8.02 million kg in 2024. This increase in volume has resulted in a 29 percentboost in revenue, which rose from US$6.79 million to US$8.75 million in just one year.
In a presser the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka, lauded the surge, calling it a significant milestone for the country’s agricultural sector.
“The rise in exports, show the hard work and resilience of our farmers and their ability to tap into global markets. We are excited about the growth we are seeing, particularly in the Chinese market, which continues to play a vital role in expanding demand for our macadamia nuts.
This is just the beginning of what we believe will be a long-term growth trajectory for Zimbabwe’s macadamia industry,” Minister Masuka added.
While the surge in exports is widely celebrated, the sector is facing a challenging price drop. The price of the crop per kilogramme has fallen 63 percent from US$2.91 in 2020 to US$1.09 in 2024, with some farmers experiencing prices as low as US$0.60/kg in 2023. Despite these price challenges, the increasing export volume has provided a much-needed boost to Zimbabwe’s economy and agricultural growth.
Mr. George Moyo, a leading macadamia nuts farmer in the country, expressed his optimism about the future.
“While the price drop is challenging, the increased export volume is a great sign for the industry. With China as a growing market, we are confident that demand will continue to rise, and prices will eventually stabilise. This surge shows that our farmers are producing at an internationally competitive level,” Moyo said.
The surge in exports can be attributed in part to Zimbabwe’s expanding presence in international markets, particularly China, which has emerged as a crucial destination for the country’s macadamia nutexports. Calls have grown for the Zimbabwean Government to negotiate trade protocols with China to secure duty-free access, similar to agreements made for other agricultural exports, such as avocados and citrus.
Industry experts are hopeful that better access to markets will drive up demand and, in turn, stabilise prices.
“Securing favourable trade deals with countries like China is key to our continued growth. We are optimistic that the Government will take action to ensure our macadamia farmers get the best possible access to international markets,” said Moyo.
As Zimbabwe’s macadamia industry continues to expand, stakeholders remain positive that, with the right support and market access, the country’s macadamia sector will not only weather the current price challenges, but thrive in the global marketplace.
