Prepared or preserved groundnuts market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for prepared or preserved groundnuts in Zimbabwe remained stable at around 607–612 tonnes. During this period, groundnut production was characterized by low productivity due to smallholder farmers using non-specialized varieties, while erratic rainfall patterns in 2019 posed challenges for yields.

Market volume dropped to 488 tonnes in 2021, but recovered to 569 tonnes in 2022 and reached 602 tonnes in 2023. This growth was supported by government programs such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa, which assisted smallholder farmers in boosting groundnut cultivation. Furthermore, in 2023, new regulations required millers, stockfeed manufacturers, and food processors to source at least 40% of raw materials locally, creating guaranteed demand and incentives for local production.

By 2024, the local sourcing policy continued to strengthen the value chain, while consumer preferences shifted towards healthy, nutritious foods, including homemade peanut butter, supporting overall consumption trends.

Production prepared or preserved groundnuts in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared or preserved groundnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved groundnuts, 2017-2020

In Zimbabwe, production of prepared or preserved groundnuts declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 555.8 tonnes, showing a modest contraction of 9.3% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production increased by 20.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 663.2 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 43.8%.

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

Exports prepared or preserved groundnuts from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, kg

The export market for prepared or preserved groundnuts from Zimbabwe showed an unstable trend over this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 13.1-fold difference between these years. In 2019, exports registered 5 130 kg, reflecting an abrupt drop of 91.4% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 59 780 kg, which also saw the largest annual increase of 1 205.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Mozambique continued to be the leading markets for Zimbabwe's exports of prepared or preserved groundnuts in kind, together accounting for 96.3% of total flows. Other trading partners played a supplementary role during this period.

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

The export market in value terms was characterized by volatility during these years. Exports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 10-fold difference between these years. In 2019, the value of prepared or preserved groundnuts leaving Zimbabwe came to 10.7 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic reduction of 90.0% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 106.4 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 822.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique and South Africa jointly absorbed 90.7% of the total export value of prepared or preserved groundnuts from Zimbabwe. The remaining volume was scattered across smaller markets.

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

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

Imports prepared or preserved groundnuts to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, kg

The import market in kind exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 40-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zimbabwe imported approximately 51 795 kg of prepared or preserved groundnuts, marking a sharp increase of 3 915.1% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 290 kg, which also saw the largest annual decline of 85.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the leading roles in imports of prepared or preserved groundnuts to Zimbabwe in kind belonged to South Africa and Zambia, which jointly accounted for 66.3% of total flows.

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

There were significant fluctuations in the import market performance during this period. Imports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with an 18-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of prepared or preserved groundnuts imported by Zimbabwe amounted to 60.5 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp uptick of 1 651.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3.5 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 75.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of imports in value terms was marked by the predominance of South Africa, which absorbed 81.4% of total flows, along with a large number of minor partners.

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

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