Harare, (New Ziana) – ZimTrade recently conducted a comprehensive market scan in the second-largest Mozambican city and major seaport, Beira, which is set to significantly boost economic relations between the two countries.
The scan, which took place from March 22 to 28, 2025, aimed to identify new opportunities for Zimbabwean exporters in the Mozambican city focusing on fast-growing sectors including construction and agriculture.
According to the latest ZimTrade newsletter, trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique has grown by 23 percent in recent years, with bilateral trade reaching US$487.6 million in 2024, up from US$397.7 million in 2023.
Mozambique is currently Zimbabwe’s fourth-largest export destination, and the market scan highlights the potential for further growth.
Beira’s construction boom, driven by urban expansion and post-cyclone reconstruction, is fueling demand for construction materials such as steel, tiles, and paints while the growing agricultural sector in the country also presents opportunities for Zimbabwean exporters.
Zimbabwe’s strong production base in agricultural inputs and implements, including regionally adapted seed varieties and irrigation systems, gives it a competitive edge in meeting Mozambique’s agricultural needs.
Shared agro-ecological conditions between the two countries further support the reliability of Zimbabwean inputs in Mozambican farms.
According to ZimTrade, the market scan also revealed strong market potential for Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) from Zimbabwe.
Supermarkets in Beira already stock a range of Zimbabwean brands, including cordials, beverages, and peanut butter as the presence of a sizeable Zimbabwean diaspora in Beira has helped create a natural entry point for these products.
Besides goods, Zimbabwe has significant potential to export services to Mozambique, particularly in agriculture and education where its well-regarded universities and technical institutions can provide professional training, student exchange programs, and remote learning platforms that meet Mozambican needs.
ZimTrade said it will host a dissemination seminar in Harare in May 2025 to share detailed findings from the market scan while an outward trade mission to Beira is scheduled from July 1-3 this year, to give Zimbabwean businesses a platform to engage directly with Mozambican buyers and partners.
Trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique is supported by regional and bilateral frameworks, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Protocol and a bilateral trade agreement, which offer Zimbabwean exporters preferential treatment, reducing or eliminating tariffs on qualifying products.
To access these benefits, Zimbabwean exporters should register with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and obtain a Certificate of Origin while in Mozambique, importers should be licensed by the National Directorate of Trade and comply with pre-shipment inspection requirements to ensure safety and quality standards are met.
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