Zimbabwe citrus export earnings rise 69% amid growing production

Zimbabwe’s citrus export earnings increased by 69 per cent to US$2.2 million during the first four months of the year, compared to US$1.3 million recorded in the corresponding period last year. The growth coincides with the peak harvesting season, as citrus producers across the country intensify harvesting and processing activities, reports The Herald, a partner of TV BRICS.

According to data released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), export volumes of citrus products rose by 90 per cent, reaching 9.6 million kilogrammes from 5.06 million kilogrammes a year earlier. The category includes fresh and dried oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, pomelos, lemons, limes, as well as citrus juices and other single-fruit juice products.

Grapefruit and pomelos made a significant contribution to the expansion. Export volumes of these products grew by 205 per cent to 3.8 million kilogrammes, while export earnings increased by 197 per cent to US$617,509. Lemons and limes also posted strong results, with volumes rising from 2.8 million kilogrammes to 4.9 million kilogrammes and export revenues reaching US$893,670, representing growth of 154 per cent.

According to data, orange output is to increase by 18 per cent to 222,138 tonnes in the 2025/26 season, supported by expanded cultivation areas and improved yields. Lemon and lime production is also expected to rise by 11 per cent to 7,462 tonnes, reflecting continued development across the horticultural sector.

Zimbabwe’s Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2) highlights the citrus industry as an important contributor to export revenues, employment and rural development. The strategy forecasts that the citrus value chain will expand from 347,000 tonnes in the 2025/26 season to 482,000 tonnes by 2030/31, while its gross value is projected to increase from US$576 million to US$925 million, reinforcing the sector’s role in the country’s agricultural transformation.