Agriculture Reporter
Zimbabwe’s export promotion and development agency, ZimTrade has partnered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to assist small holder garlic farmers secure export markets, as demand for the product continues rising on the global scale.
According to Zimtrade’s Export and Development Manager,Tatenda Marume, the trade board was working with different development partners and Government to assist small holder farmers access exports markets as well as for capacity building programs on growing of organic garlic.
“Given the growing demand around the world for healthy foods because of the need to combat COVID-19 pandemic and other chronic diseases, it has seen the rise on the demand for garlic, not only in Zimbabwe but worldwide.
“Likewise, the number of smallholder farmers with potential to export has been growing exponentially over the past few years, but needed help in approaching buyers and accessing export markets, hence the move by Government to secure export markets for farmers.”
ZimTrade says that it has been working with small groups of farmers over the years in Hwedza and countrywide in the production of garlic.
“This is in line with the National Development Strategy (NDS) which is focusing on inclusive economic development. The horticulture sector is one of the priority areas identified by the National Export Strategy, launched by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa and the capacitating of farmers will go a long way in contributing towards achieving the nation’s vision 2030.”
There has been significant growth of world import bill of garlic over the past 20 years, from around US$500 million in 2001 to US$2.48 billion in 2019, according to Trade Map. As such Zimbabwe can also leverage on this.
For Zimbabwe, figures available on Trade Map indicated that exports of garlic have been insignificant over the past few years, albeit potential to supply and dominate in regional and international markets.
Apart from exporting garlic as raw bulbs, there are opportunities to value-add and produce products such as garlic powder or mix with salt to produce garlic salt or garlic oil.
