Harare, (New Ziana) — The avocado industry in Zimbabwe is on course to produce 6 000 tons this season, with growers reporting good fruit sizes following favourable late rains, the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) has said.
In its June 2026 half-year report, the council said while rainfall delayed some harvesting, producers welcomed the improved fruit quality.
“The industry is also making progress on new export opportunities. India has acknowledged Zimbabwe’s market access application, and an inspection visit is expected. One grower is preparing a trial shipment to China,” it said, adding that increased avocado volumes from Peru have however pushed international prices down.
“Long-term funding for orchard crops is still hard to secure, limiting expansion plans. International market conditions are also proving difficult, with large Peruvian volumes pushing prices lower. As a result, smaller fruit sizes are becoming uneconomic to export,” it said.
The HDC said the focus of the industry remains on opening new markets and improving grower returns while maintaining production growth and fruit quality.
Meanwhile, the HDC said the pea industry in the country is expecting to export about 10 000 tons this season with small-scale farmers contributing between 30 and 40 percent of total export volumes.
The HDC however said the biggest challenge is rising freight costs, with exporters now paying about US$3.83 per kilogram to deliver produce to Heathrow, London, up from US$2.21 per kilogram at the same time last year, while market prices have remained unchanged.
“Shipping costs have risen due to Middle East disruptions, while elevated fuel prices are squeezing production, with smallholder farmers relying on diesel irrigation the hardest hit. Many have reduced production or exited the sector altogether,” it said.
It added that seed supply issues are also a concern, with contaminated sugar snap seed affecting yields and threatening export quality.
According to the HDC, industry players are advocating a shift from air freight to sea freight to reduce export costs.
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