Pepper market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The pepper market in Zimbabwe expanded significantly from 2018 to 2020, with production rising from 19 194 t to 29 152 t and market volume reaching 28 746 t. This growth was primarily driven by increasing global demand for spices, particularly chili peppers, which created export opportunities for local farmers. Support programs like ZimTrade under EU-funded initiatives helped strengthen small-scale farmers' capacity, enabling them to tap into key markets such as the United States and Europe.

After peaking in 2020, production and market volume declined over the next two years, falling to 16 980 t of production by 2022. During this period, the market saw structural developments with the entry of new players like Pepperfresh (Pvt) Ltd, a plant nutrition and agronomy business supporting pepper cultivation. Additionally, paprika emerged as a new segment, promoted as an economic empowerment tool with expanded hectareage, indicating diversification within the pepper sector despite the overall contraction.

By 2023, production showed signs of recovery, increasing to 19 190 t. The domestic and export demand for chili peppers remained strong, with continued emphasis on paprika as a key crop for agricultural diversification. This trend points towards a stabilizing market with ongoing opportunities in both traditional and new pepper segments.

Production pepper in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Zimbabwe ranked as the 11th largest pepper producer in the world.

Top producers of pepper, 2017-2020

World map of production of pepper, 2017-2020

Zimbabwe's pepper production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 29 152 tons of pepper, marking a 23.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 67.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 18.8%.

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

Exports pepper from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Zimbabwe's pepper exports rebounded. In 2020, exports totaled 419 tons, up 30.8% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 76.9%, with an average annual decline of 38.6%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 320 tons, which also saw the steepest drop of 63.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique and South Africa together accounted for 85.6% of Zimbabwe's pepper exports by volume, while the remaining share was distributed among various other markets.

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

Zimbabwe's pepper export value declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 490 thousand US dollars, down 18.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 70.2%, averaging an annual drop of 33.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia were the main buyers of Zimbabwean pepper by value. Mozambique accounted for 56.3% of exports, South Africa for 21.4%, and Zambia for 15.2%, together making up 92.9% of total export 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 pepper to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Zimbabwe imported 13 tons of pepper, a 22.1% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 40.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.1%. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 7.6%, while the biggest rise was in 2018 at 24.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, South Africa dominated Zimbabwe's pepper imports by volume, consistently representing 91.9% of the total.

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

Pepper import values showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2017, and the peak was in 2018, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 99 thousand US dollars, surging 34.9% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 147 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 50.1% and the biggest increase in 2018 at 177.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the leading source of Zimbabwe's pepper imports by value, accounting for 81.7% of the total, while the rest was spread across several smaller markets.

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

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