Citrus fruit market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The Zimbabwe citrus fruit market experienced robust growth from 2018 to 2023, with market volume expanding by 145 thousand tons or 43% to reach 480 thousand tons, and market value increasing by 20.6 million USD or 41% to 71.4 million USD. This upward trajectory was supported by a substantial rise in domestic production, which grew from 392 thousand tons to 542 thousand tons over the same period.

Market growth was nearly uninterrupted, with only a brief pause in 2021 when volume stabilized around 418 thousand tons. The consistent expansion in domestic output ensured that the local market continued to receive ample supply, even as export volumes fluctuated.

Imports remained minimal throughout the years, having a negligible effect on total market size, while exports, though significant, did not outpace production growth, allowing the domestic market volume to climb steadily each year.

Production citrus fruit in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Zimbabwe's citrus fruit production has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 471.1 thousand tons of citrus fruit, marking a 10.7% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 22.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Citrus fruit production in Zimbabwe has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 69 904 thousand US dollars, showing a slight rise of 1.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 43.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports citrus fruit from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Zimbabwe exported 52 875 tons of citrus fruit, representing a 7.1% gain from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 11.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 57 012 tons, which saw a 19.9% increase. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa remained the primary buyer of Zimbabwe's citrus fruit, accounting for 94.4% of total exports in volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Citrus fruit exports from Zimbabwe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 7 846 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall increased by 30.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.3%. The peak value was in 2018 at 8 625 thousand US dollars, which saw a 43.5% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa served as the main market for Zimbabwe's citrus fruit, consistently absorbing 93.3% of total exports in value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020

Imports citrus fruit to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. From 2018 to 2020, imports fluctuated significantly, with a 25-fold difference between the highest and lowest points. In 2020, Zimbabwe imported 15 tons of citrus fruit, representing a sharp rise of 71.8% year-over-year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the import partner base was extremely narrow, with South Africa alone responsible for 100.0% of total imports in volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Zimbabwe's citrus fruit imports amounted to 2 thousand US dollars, showing a sudden decrease of 70.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 99.1%, with an average annual decline rate of 79.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated the import partner structure, consistently accounting for 99.9% of total imports in value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020