Mozambique's huge appetite for Zimbabwean produce

Demand for Zimbabwean agricultural products in Mozambique remains strong but largely unmet, presenting significant opportunities for farmers and agro-processors to expand exports into the neighbouring market.

Retail chains and supermarkets in Mozambique have shown strong interest in food products manufactured in Zimbabwe, including beverages, bread, dairy products and cereals. There is also growing demand for fresh produce such as potatoes, tomatoes, butternuts, peas, onions, lettuce, cabbages, blueberries, grapes, apples, peppers, carrots and leafy vegetables.

The opportunities extend beyond crops, with Zimbabwean poultry, beef and eggs widely regarded as superior in quality compared to locally produced alternatives in Mozambique.

High-level political engagement between the two countries is also helping to reinforce agricultural cooperation.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has repeatedly emphasised the need to strengthen agricultural ties between the two countries under the framework of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation.

The call was recently reiterated by Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Mozambique, Victor Matemadanda, during a meeting with Chibabava District Administrator Sérgio Arnaldo Gove in Sofala Province.

"President Mnangagwa has instructed us to facilitate engagement between Zimbabwean and Mozambican farmers to encourage knowledge transfer and capacity building to ensure food security for both countries," said Matemadanda.

Meanwhile, ZimTrade has been facilitating trade missions to Mozambican cities such as Beira, Chimoio and Tete, allowing Zimbabwean companies to engage with their Mozambican counterparts in trade and investment discussions.

Despite the growing demand, exporters continue to face procedural challenges. One of the major hurdles is the requirement for a Phytosanitary Certificate for plant-based exports.

The certificate, issued by Plant Quarantine Services under Zimbabwe's Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, confirms that shipments are free from pests and diseases. However, limited inspection capacity often causes delays, particularly affecting perishable agricultural commodities.

Trade data also reveals a widening trade imbalance between the two countries.

Statistics from UN Comtrade show that Zimbabwe's exports to Mozambique declined from US$326 million in 2020 to US$245 million in 2024. In contrast, imports from Mozambique surged from US$143 million in 2020 to US$404 million in 2024.

This shift has reversed the trade balance. Zimbabwe recorded a trade surplus of US$183 million in 2020, which gradually shrank before turning into a deficit of US$55 million in 2023. By 2024, the deficit had widened to US$159 million.

Overall trade volumes between the two countries increased from US$469 million in 2020 to US$657 million in 2024, reflecting growing commercial activity despite the imbalance.

Zimbabwe's main exports to Mozambique in 2024 included chromium ore valued at US$89 million, raw sugar at US$30 million and processed tobacco at US$26 million.

Meanwhile, Mozambique's exports to Zimbabwe were dominated by refined petroleum worth US$104 million, soybean oil at US$86 million and electricity valued at US$75 million.

Zimbabwe's Consul General to Mozambique, Malvern Bere, said farmers should actively pursue opportunities in Mozambique's agricultural and retail sectors.

"There is a huge market for Zimbabwean produce in Mozambique," said Bere.

"Last year, we received a request through the Consulate for the supply of 90 tonnes of cabbages by hoteliers in Mozambique. We engaged ZimTrade, but we could not satisfy the market."

Bere said the unsatisfied order highlights the gap between market demand and Zimbabwe's export readiness.

He also pointed to bureaucratic delays at border posts as a major challenge for farmers, particularly small-scale producers.

"We need to cut bureaucracies at our border posts which can demotivate farmers, especially small-scale farmers, who end up using informal routes to bring products into Mozambique," he said.

To address logistical challenges and reduce post-harvest losses, Zimbabwean and Mozambican authorities are exploring plans to establish a centrally located cold storage facility in Mozambique.

The proposed cold room facility would allow Zimbabwean farmers to aggregate and store fresh produce at a strategic distribution point, ensuring consistent supply to supermarkets, hotels and bulk buyers.

With Mozambique's urban population, hospitality industry and retail sector continuing to expand, analysts say the neighbouring country presents one of the most accessible export markets for Zimbabwean farmers, particularly those in border provinces such as Manicaland.

Despite the growing trade deficit, experts believe the opportunity remains clear - the demand exists, political will is evident and the market lies just across the border. For Zimbabwean farmers, the challenge now is to scale production and align output with the region's growing appetite for food.