Farai Mabeza, Senior Staff Writer 
THE state trade development and promotion body, ZimTrade, says value added exports grew by 28 percent from US$221 million in 2020 to US$283 million in 2021 driven by, among other sectors, clothing and textile.
In an export report for the period between January to August 2021 produced by ZimTrade, total exports stood at US$3,75 billion, a 47 percent increase compared to US$2,54 billion recorded in the same period in 2020.
“The increase was spurred by a rise in exports from clothing and textile, building and construction material, household and electrical goods, as well as the arts and crafts sectors,” ZimTrade said in the report.
Allan Majuru, ZimTrade chief executive officer.
On the other hand, imports increased by 43 percent to US$4,74 billion from US$3,31 billion in 2020.
Consequently, the trade deficit for the period under review stood at US$994 million, an increase when compared to US$774 million recorded during the same period in 2020.
According to ZimTrade, the country’s exports maintained an upward trend despite the impact of Covid-19, which was characterised by supply chain disruptions.
The extractive sector registered a 35 percent increase during the period under review closing at US$2,64 billion, contributing 71 percent to total exports.
Nickel mattes, nickel ore and gold contributed over US$1,6 billion to total exports during the period under review, while platinum exports increased from US$66 million to US$127 million at a time diamonds registered a significant increase totalling US$122 million, up from US$71 million recorded in 2020.
Clothing, footwear and textiles exports registered an impressive 85 percent increase to US$32,3 million in 2021 from US$17,7 million in 2020.
“The increase may be attributed to increased export initiatives in the sector as there is huge demand for protective clothing emanating from the pandemic,” ZimTrade said.
Household goods and the furniture sectors’ exports increased by 54 percent from US$10,8 million recorded in the prior year during the period under review to US$16,8 million.
Major exports in the sector were plastic articles (US$3,6 million) and kitchen tables (US$3,4 million), as well as brushes and mechanical sweepers, which rose from US$1 million last year to US$3,7 million.
The arts and crafts sector continues to show resilience, leading to an increase in exports of 92,4 percent from US$2,7 million in 2020 to US$5,2 million in 2021.
“This recovery could be reflective of ZimTrade’s efforts in encouraging exporters in this sector. The sector is also participating at the Dubai 2020 Expo, which began on October 1, 2021 and runs through to March 2022. Six companies from the sector also took part in the Intra-African Trade Fair in Durban,” ZimTrade said.
The building and construction sector recorded a 43 percent increase in exports from US$21 million in 2020 to US$30,4 million in 2021.
The sector is also part of the trade promotion activities being conducted by ZimTrade.
According to trade body, processed food exports declined by 45 percent from US$76 million to US$43 million in 2020.
Cane or beet sugar recorded a decline of 81 percent to US$10,1 million from US$54,6 million in 2020.
The sector is expected to rebound as the year progresses, with an indication that companies are making inroads into traditional markets such as Kenya and Tanzania.
Aquaculture exports declined significantly by 67 percent to US$0,794 million in 2021 from US$2,2 million in 2020.
“The major contributors to the decline were live and frozen fish exports. The sector was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic as some export markets … in Asia, particularly China, … instituted some stringent measures on frozen meat products imports,” ZimTrade said.
Livestock and livestock products exports declined by 20 percent from US$2,9 million in 2020 to US$2,3 million in 2021.
The major decline was observed in egg exports, which declined from US$1,4 million to US$0,3 million.
The trade promotion body further said that hides and skins exports decreased by 10 percent from US$8,8 million in 2020 to US$7,9 million in 2021.
Manufactured tobacco exports decreased by 8,3 percent to US$32 million during the period from US$34,9 million in 2020. The decrease, according to ZimTrade, can be attributed to health consciousness among consumers brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The horticulture sector recorded a marginal decline of 6,7 percent from US$45,4 million in 2020 to US$42,4 million. Though declining, the major exports in the sector were tea at US$10,8 million, macadamia nuts US$6 million, citrus US$7,6 million and leguminous vegetables US$3,1 million.
During the period under review, major export destination markets were South Africa, 41,7 percent, United Arab Emirates, 25,6 percent, Mozambique, 8,9 percent and Zambia one percent.
Exports are forecast to reach US$5,6 billion by year end against a US$5,2 billion target envisaged in the 10 percent target growth in the National Export Strategy.
