Marondera- Zimbabwe is fast becoming one of Africa’s rising stars when it comes to blueberries. What once was trial farms has grown into a vibrant export sector with strong potential. Here’s a closer look at where blueberries are grown in Zimbabwe, what the market and prices are like, how exports are faring, and how Zimbabwean blueberries are seen in terms of quality.
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Where Blueberries are Grown
Blueberries are mainly grown in Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, and Mashonaland Central provinces.
Farms are often located north of Harare.
Some farms use open-field planting; others are using pots, substrate, shade nets, and/or drip irrigation and fertigation systems. This helps with climate control, protection, and consistent quality.
Production, Area, Yield
Around 2023-2024, Zimbabwe had about 600 hectares of blueberries under cultivation. Of that, roughly 450 hectares are in full production; the rest is for breeding or early stage.
Yields are improving: from ~9 tonnes per hectare in earlier years up to ~12 tonnes per hectare in 2023-24.
Total output is rising; in 2023-24 season blueberry production increased from ~5,787 tonnes to ~8,000 tonnes.
Market & Price per kg
Prices per kilogram vary depending on demand, quality grade, export versus local buyer, time of season, etc. One farm in Goromonzi (Mashonaland East) reported prices ranging from US$2.50 to US$6 per kg.
On average, some reports suggest around US$4.25/kg when costs, yields, and market rates are considered.
Earlier years saw berry export average prices around US$2.14/kg in 2021 rising to about US$3.01/kg in 2022.
Exports & Markets
Virtually all blueberries produced in Zimbabwe are for export. There is very little if any domestic market consumption.
Key export destinations include: The Netherlands, Germany, UK, EU, and markets in the Far East and Middle East.
A new opportunity has opened with access to China after a phytosanitary protocol agreement.
Export volumes rose from ~2,500 tonnes in 2020 to over 6,200 tonnes in 2024.
Export earnings have also increased sharply. From ~US$11 million in 2020 to about US$50 million in 2024 for the berries sector, with blueberries being the major driver.
Quality of Zimbabwean Blueberries
Zimbabwe has some advantages: early season window. Because the climate allows harvesting earlier than many Northern Hemisphere producers, Zimbabwean blueberries reach international markets “ahead” of competitors like Peru or Eastern Europe. This gives them premium opportunities.
Growing practices (use of shade nets, fertigation, good substrate etc.) contribute to consistent fruit quality. Farms are increasingly adopting modern methods to meet export standards.
Zimbabwean blueberries are generally considered high quality in taste, appearance, and freshness, especially for export. Growers and exporters point out that the fruit holds up well in transit when handled properly.
Challenges & What Needs Doing
Financing: High startup costs (land preparation, infrastructure, irrigation, substrate, cold chain, etc.) make entry difficult without good capital.
Logistics & Cold Chain: To reach export markets in good condition, efficient cold storage, transport, and packaging are essential. Any delays or breakdowns in the cold chain hurt quality and profits.
Land tenure & policy: Uncertainty in land rights, variable utility costs, exchange rate fluctuations, and regulatory burdens have been cited as obstacles.
Outlook & What’s Next
Zimbabwe aims to scale up blueberry production to 30,000 tonnes by 2030 and expand hectares under production to about 1,500 ha (from ~570-600 ha currently) if investment, policy and infrastructure challenges are addressed.
More markets are opening (as with China), and global demand for blueberries.
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