Harare, (New Ziana) —Zimbabwe’s goods trade deficit for October this year fell dramatically to US$3.6 million, marking an 82.7 percent decline from the US$20.7 million recorded in September, official data that the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) has released shows.
In its October 2025 trade statistics, ZIMSTAT said the improvement came as exports posted strong growth, narrowing the gap between the country’s import and export values.
A trade deficit occurs when a nation imports more than it exports in a given period, while a surplus reflects the opposite. The October figures show Zimbabwe edging closer to a balanced trade position as external demand for key commodities strengthened.
According to the statistics, exports rose to US$1.02 billion, representing a 20.2 percent increase (US$172.3 million) from September’s USD 851.1 million. Imports also climbed but at a slightly lower pace, reaching US$1.03 billion, up 17.8 percent (US$155.1 million) from US$871.8 million in September.
Semi-manufactured gold remained the top export, contributing 45.2 percent of total export earnings. Tobacco (partly or wholly stemmed/stripped) accounted for 14.8 percent, while nickel mattes contributed 12.5 percent, together forming the bulk of October’s US$1.0 billion export value.
Zimbabwe’s exports were largely destined for three markets namely the United Arab Emirates (49.8 percent), South Africa (20.6 percent), and China (12.7 percent),which collectively absorbed 83 percent of the country’s export shipments.
Zimbabwe’s top import items in October included mineral fuels, mineral oils and related products, making up 20 percent of total imports with machinery and mechanical appliances following with 10.6 percent, cereals with 9.2 percent, and vehicles with 8 percent, reflecting continued demand for energy, industrial equipment and food products.
The country’s main import sources were South Africa (37.4 percent), China (15.9 percent), Bahamas (8.9 percent), and Bahrain (5.7 percent), together accounting for 68 imports of total imports.
Exports to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) amounted to US$273 million, dominated by nickel mattes (46.7 percent) tobacco (8.2 percent), chromium ores (6.4 percent) and coke and semi-coke (5.1 percent) with the four products making up 66 percent of exports to the bloc, whilst COMESA-bound exports totaled US$32.7 million, led by tobacco (25.8 percent), coke and semi-coke (19.1 percent) and cigarettes (9.1 percent)
Exports to the European Union stood at US$47.1 million, almost entirely dominated by tobacco (85.5 percent), ferro-chromium (9.8 percent) and granite (3 percent), together contributing 98 percent of shipments.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) received US$278.6 million worth of Zimbabwean goods, driven by nickel mattes (45.8 percent), tobacco (9.8 percent), chromium ores (6.3 percent) and iron and steel products (5.7 percent).
Zimbabwe imported US$500.3 million worth of goods from SADC, mainly cereals, machinery, fuels and iron and steel products—collectively contributing 40 percent of the bloc’s import bill.
Imports from the EU totaled US$22.1 million, dominated by electrical machinery (14.1 percent), mechanical appliances (12.9 percent) and cereals (10.3 percent).
From COMESA, Zimbabwe brought in goods worth US$62.3 million, including salt and Sulphur products, cereals and food preparations.
AfCFTA imports amounted to US$510.5 million, largely cereals (14.1 percent), machinery (10.3 percent), fuels (8.8 percent) and iron and steel (6.5 percent).
Although Zimbabwe still recorded a deficit, the significant reduction in October points to a strengthening export sector driven by minerals and tobacco. Analysts say continued diversification of export products and markets will be crucial for sustaining the positive momentum.
New Ziana
