Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe has potential to earn significant revenue from exports of mopane worms to Europe where they are highly sought after, an official has said.

The country’s trade promotion body, Zimtrade has since commissioned
studies into what was required for exporters to penetrate the lucrative
European market.

Mopane worms, known locally as macimbi or madora, are rich in various
nutrients, according to food experts.

Some even argue that the nutrient levels in the worms are three times
higher than that in beef.

The caterpillars feed primarily on mopane tree leaves but can also
do so on other tree species.

When harvested and dried, mopane worms can be eaten raw as a crisp
snack or alternatively can be soaked to re-hydrate and then deep fried
until crunchy.

Zimtrade chief executive, Allan Majuru said mopane worms’ potential
export is one low hanging fruit Zimbabwe could easily exploit quickly
and without much investment to diversify exports.

“There are things where we have a comparative advantage but are not
making use of – macimbi (mopane worms), in Europe (it) has become a hit
as one of the highest sources of protein,” he said.

“We are in the process of establishing and understanding the rules and
regulations in order for us to export macimbi to Europe because they
are highly sought after as a source of protein.”

Majuru said Japan, from initial indications, was also a potential export
market for the product.

Currently, Zambia was exporting mopane worms to Europe, he said.

Market surveys, he said, had indicated that baobab powder, Moringa
products, and round nuts and agro-processed food were also potentially
big foreign currency earners for the country.

Those wishing to export the products, he said, must first of all make
contact with buyers and can be assisted by Zimtrade to ensure they
follow set production guidelines for their product to be accepted in
the target markets.
New Ziana