Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe’s citrus industry is strengthening its position on the international stage, with exports continuing to perform strongly in established markets while opening new opportunities across emerging destinations, reinforcing the country’s growing reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality agricultural produce, the Government has said.
In a post on its National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) X handle on Tuesday, it said traditional export markets such as the European Union, the United Kingdom and Malaysia remain key destinations for Zimbabwean citrus products, providing consistent demand and foreign currency earnings whilst at the same time, the industry is making inroads into East Africa and Eastern Europe, widening market access and creating new avenues for growth.
“Exports continue to perform strongly in established destinations such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia, while new market opportunities are opening in East Africa and Eastern Europe.
“This expanding global footprint reflects increasing confidence in Zimbabwean produce and the country’s ability to meet international quality standards. A remarkable example of this success is Nottingham Estate near Beitbridge, where citrus production is delivering both economic value and social impact,” said the Government.
It said one of the clearest examples of this success story can be found at Nottingham Estate near Beitbridge, where citrus production is generating significant economic and social benefits.
The estate, said the Government, currently employs more than 1,000 workers, with women accounting for nearly half of the workforce.
“The estate provides employment to more than 1,000 people, with women making up nearly half of the workforce. This highlights the sector’s contribution to job creation, household incomes, and the empowerment of women in rural communities.
Beyond the orchards, the citrus value chain supports thousands of livelihoods through packaging, transportation, logistics, and export services,” said the Government.
This growing participation of women highlights the sector’s contribution not only to employment creation but also to improved household incomes and greater economic empowerment in rural communities.
Beyond production in the orchards, Zimbabwe’s citrus industry is creating opportunities throughout the value chain.
Thousands of additional livelihoods are supported through activities such as packaging, transportation, logistics and export services, broadening the sector’s impact across the economy.
The industry, said the Government, is also playing an important role in generating foreign currency inflows, strengthening Zimbabwe’s agricultural export earnings and supporting broader national economic growth objectives.
As production capacity expands and access to international markets improves, Zimbabwe’s citrus sector is increasingly positioning itself as a strategic pillar of agricultural transformation, rural industrialisation and export-led development.
From orchard to international shelves, Zimbabwean citrus continues to showcase the country’s agricultural excellence while creating opportunities for communities and contributing to long-term economic prosperity.
New Ziana
