Mishma Chakanyuka, Staff Writer 
ZIMBABWE saw an overall growth in the production of horticulture crops in the 2021/2022 season, the Agricultural Survey Report has revealed.
The country is currently targeting an increase in high-value products for export markets for continued diversification of the agricultural production base and increased production for local markets to give consumers a wider range of produce.
Horticulture crops have over the years witnessed a growing appetite in the export market, hence the thrust to grow the sector.
According to the Africa Economic Development Strategies 2022 Agricultural Survey report, a brainchild of The Financial Gazette, Zimbabwe Agricultural Society and CBZ Holdings, blueberry production increased by 73 percent in the 2021-2022 season to 1 968 metric tonnes (mt) from
1 140 mt in the 2020-2021 season.
Pecan nuts production increased significantly by 348 percent to
374 mt from 85,3mt last season.
Sugarcane is estimated to have improved by three percent to 6 049 404 mt from 5 886 572 mt obtained in the 2020/2021 season.
Coffee production grew by 12 percent from 608 mt in the 2020/2021 season to 681 mt in the 2021/2022 season.
Apple production increased by 17 percent from 4 032 mt in the last season to 4 708 mt obtained in the 2021/22 season.
Irish potato production increased by 19 percent from 447 867 mt in the 2020/2021 season to 592 779 mt in the 2021/2022 season.
However, macadamia production for the 2021/2022 season decreased by 10 percent to 52 488 mt from 58 044 mt obtained in the 2020/2021 season.
Tea production also declined by 34 percent from 38 056 mt in the 2020/2021 season to 24 994 mt in the 2021/2022 season.
Meanwhile, the survey noted that agriculture occupies a central place in the country’s economy, contributing between 15 to 18 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 23 percent to total formal employment, and provides livelihoods to approximately 70 percent of the rural population (54 percent of which are women).
“Maize, tobacco and cotton account for more than 50 percent of the agricultural GDP, with tobacco leading the pack with 25 percent, followed by maize at 14 percent.
“Ten percent is accounted for by the beef and fisheries sectors, whilst about 24 percent is devoted to the rest of the livestock like sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and ostrich,” the survey report said.
“Within the milieu of commodities; tobacco, cotton, sugar, horticulture, tea, and bananas collectively account for about 40 percent by value of national exports.
“The performance of the agricultural sector, therefore, has a direct bearing on overall national economic performance, and on human development, especially concerning national and household food and nutrition security.”
According to the trade promotion body, ZimTrade, Zimbabwe’s horticulture exports raked in US$63,6 million in 2021, a 6,8 percent increase from US$59,5 million recorded in 2020 following a recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year, ZimTrade also revealed that it has been working on various initiatives to diversify the country’s horticulture markets and enhance the sector’s export capacity.
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