Zimbabwe records 42% growth in exports as value-added production expands

Zimbabwe's exports increased by 42 per cent to US$4.45 billion between January and May 2026, compared with US$3.1 billion during the same period last year, according to The Herald, a partner of TV BRICS. Semi-manufactured gold remained the country's leading export, generating US$2.2 billion, followed by nickel mattes at US$595 million. Other mineral substances and ferro-chromium completed the top five export products.

The five leading export commodities generated US$3.7 billion, accounting for 83 per cent of Zimbabwe's total exports during the reporting period. The United Arab Emirates was the country's largest export destination, with imports worth US$2 billion, followed by South Africa at US$1 billion and China at US$670 million. Together, these three markets represented 83 per cent of Zimbabwe's export earnings.

Minister of Mines and Mining Development Polite Kambamura said the government is continuing to promote mineral beneficiation, technological innovation and international cooperation as part of the country's economic transformation agenda. He highlighted Africa's first production of lithium sulphate as an example of Zimbabwe's progress in expanding domestic mineral processing and increasing value addition.

According to experts, exports of value-added products rose by 26 per cent, from US$198 million during January–May 2025 to US$250 million in the corresponding period of 2026. It is noted that chemicals recorded the fastest growth, increasing by 557 per cent to US$15.6 million, while engineering products climbed 147 per cent to US$96.8 million. The source stated that minerals and alloys remained the largest export category, rising 42 per cent to US$3.56 billion, reflecting continued expansion in Zimbabwe's industrial and export sectors.