Zimbabwe breaks it's export record

Zimbabwe earned more than US$1 billion in export revenue in November 2025, marking the second consecutive month of record-breaking export earnings, according to data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat).

Exports rose to US$1.046 billion in November, up from US$1.02 billion in October, while imports declined to US$955.8 million, resulting in a widened trade surplus of US$90.5 million. The surplus represents a 215 percent increase from October's US$28.7 million and underscores sustained momentum in mining, agriculture, and emerging industrial value chains.

Presenting the November External Trade Statistics, ZimStat Balance of Payments and Finance Statistics manager, Ms Mable Chimhore, said the figures highlighted a marked improvement in Zimbabwe's external trade performance. "The resulting trade balance amounted to a surplus of US$90.5 million, a 215.2 percent increase from the October 2025 surplus of US$28.7 million," she said.

Exports have steadily grown over the second half of 2025, climbing from US$876 million in July to over US$1 billion in October and maintaining that level in November. The bulk of Zimbabwe's export earnings remain concentrated in a few high-value commodities, with semi-manufactured gold accounting for 42.4 percent of total exports, tobacco at 23.7 percent, and nickel mattes at 17 percent.

Regional trade within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was dominated by nickel mattes, which made up 74.6 percent of exports to the bloc, followed by tobacco and coke at 4.4 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively. Exports to the European Union were led by tobacco, contributing 68.3 percent of shipments, while industrial diamonds and ferro-chromium accounted for 13.2 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

On the import side, South Africa remained Zimbabwe's largest supplier, providing 39.2 percent of total imports, followed by China, the Bahamas, and Bahrain. Industrial supplies and fuels accounted for 39.5 percent and 19.2 percent of imports, reflecting continued demand for production inputs and energy.

Commenting on the record export performance, ZimTrade Chief Executive Mr Allan Majuru said the results reflected improved production capacity, stronger commodity prices, and government-led initiatives to promote value addition and export growth. "The performance highlights the growing strength of Zimbabwe's productive sectors and the deliberate shift towards value addition promoted by the Second Republic. It also reflects the impact of interventions by ZimTrade, including expanding market access and supporting competitiveness," he said.

Analysts noted that Zimbabwe's reliance on high-value minerals and agricultural commodities, coupled with strategic imports of essential inputs, has been central to sustaining the trade surplus. The October and November figures exceeded expectations and placed Zimbabwe among the top export performers in the SADC region, providing a snapshot of resilience in the country's external trade.