Zimbabwe's exports jump 61% to US$10.4bn in nine months, already above all of 2025

ZimTrade chief executive Allan Majuru announced the figure on Wednesday 4 November at the 2026 Zimbabwe Export Week Buyers Seminar in Harare. Imports also grew, by 34.8% to US$9.76 billion from US$7.24 billion a year earlier. On the Post's arithmetic, that leaves a surplus of about US$640 million.

What the figures show

Value-added exports grew 68% to US$671 million from US$400 million, but that is only about 6.5% of the total. Majuru said ZimTrade wants a billion-dollar value-added export sector by 2030 and believes the country is "on course" to reach it.

He also noted that Zimbabwe is importing more machinery and equipment to support industrialisation, which may help explain the rise in imports.

China is a growing part of the picture. The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe put two-way trade at US$5.01 billion for the nine months, up 51.6%. China extended zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries with diplomatic ties from 1 May 2026. Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Albert Chimbindi said the access offers opportunities for producers, citing export protocols for blueberries, citrus and avocados.

Where the money comes from

ZimStat's figures to August show how concentrated the growth is. Exports for January to August were US$9.04 billion, up 60.7%. The United Arab Emirates took US$4.11 billion, South Africa US$2.01 billion and China US$1.98 billion, together almost 90% of the total.

Mineral products dominate. In August, semi-manufactured gold alone made up 44% of exports, according to Buy Zimbabwe. The lobby group has urged government to turn the surplus into stronger local industries, more jobs and greater value addition. It will host Buy Zimbabwe Week from 23 to 27 November to promote locally made goods.

ZimTrade's nine-month figure and ZimStat's January to August figures cover different periods and come from different bodies, so they should not be added together or compared directly.

Last year's total of US$9.71 billion was itself 30% above 2024's US$7.43 billion, ZimStat figures show. The 2026 growth is therefore building on an already high base, and most of it comes from minerals and three buyers.