Mutare bananas dominate SA market

Bananas grown in Burma Valley in Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands are gaining strong traction in neighbouring South Africa, emerging as a key pillar in the country's ambitious drive to build a US$2 billion horticultural industry by 2030.

The target forms part of the Government's broader horticulture recovery plan, which places strategic value chains such as bananas at the centre of revitalising the sector and boosting export earnings.

Speaking during a tour of Matanuska Private Limited's operations in Burma Valley, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri said the expansion of large-scale producers dovetails with Government policy objectives.

Professor Jiri said Zimbabwe's climatic conditions give the country a competitive edge in banana production, resulting in fruit of exceptional quality and taste. He explained that the visit was meant to assess production levels, identify challenges and explore opportunities to unlock more value for both large estates and out-growers linked to them.

He described bananas as a critical component of the US$2 billion horticulture vision, alongside crops such as blueberries, pecan nuts and citrus. Professor Jiri noted that Zimbabwe has already secured key export markets for citrus through the China Trade Protocol, with similar momentum building around blueberries and avocados. For bananas, he said, the proximity of South Africa presents a ready and sizeable market, making it imperative to scale up production, expand hectarage and improve yields per hectare.

Matanuska Private Limited general manager Crispen Manyuchi highlighted the importance of joint ventures in driving the company's production model. He said the company currently has 321 hectares under bananas, of which 265 hectares are mature plantations, while the remainder are still developing. Average yields currently stand at about 50 tonnes per hectare.

Mr Manyuchi said while Matanuska owns part of the land under production, joint ventures with out-growers account for about 200 hectares, forming the backbone of efforts to create a greenbelt focused on banana production across Burma Valley.

He confirmed that South Africa remains the company's main export destination, absorbing close to 60 percent of its banana output. The remainder is sold on the local market through major retail chains such as OK, Pick n Pay and Bon Marche, where the fruit is positioned as a premium product.

According to Mr Manyuchi, the South African market has shown strong and consistent demand for Matanuska bananas due to their taste, quality and size. He said the company has managed to capture a significant share of that market, adding that in 2023 Matanuska won a top quality award while competing against established commercial banana producers in South Africa.

He described the recognition as a major milestone that reflects the success of efforts to upscale production in Zimbabwe and align with national horticulture recovery goals.

Matanuska Private Limited currently employs about 450 workers on both permanent and contract terms, with vast banana plantations stretching across the undulating terrain of Burma Valley near the Zimbabwe–Mozambique border.