EIGHT buyers from the United Kingdom and European Union are in Zimbabwe this week to engage with 11 farm and food businesses that have prepared their horticultural products for export through the International Trade Centre (ITC).
The trade mission is organised by the UK Trade Partnerships Programme, funded by the UK government and implemented by ITC.
The programme aims to boost trade from developing countries to the UK and EU by leveraging the Economic Partnership Agreements and the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme. It also provides trade promotion and capacity-building support across the value chain.
This mission is a key opportunity for Zimbabwean horticulture businesses to secure access to highly competitive UK and EU markets.
The programme works in partnership with government agencies, private sector organisations, public sector institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises and other local stakeholders.
ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations and assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the aid-for-trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
In a statement ahead of the mission, the British embassy in Zimbabwe said delivering economic growth was a top priority for both the UK and Zimbabwe, and one of the “key ways we can do that is by increasing trade”.
“By connecting Zimbabwean horticultural businesses with new UK and international markets, we are increasing trade and investment with the UK, creating jobs, increasing foreign exchange earnings and strengthening climate and economic resilience. Such initiatives also support Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2) for 2026-30,” the embassy said.
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In February, the UK funded eight Zimbabwean exporters to attend the Fruit Logistica Trade Show in Germany, in collaboration with ZimTrade and the Horticultural Development Council. The exporters received guidance on product presentation and marketing to ensure their products — including peas, mangetout/snow peas, rock melons, Victoria pineapples and chillies — were ready for global markets.
“If the mission is successful, the entrepreneurs could sign deals that send their products to one of the world’s most competitive food markets,” the embassy said.
The buyers will start their mission with visits to farms around Harare, before travelling to Mutorashanga, Mvurwi, Chegutu, Shurugwi and Mutare.
Participating agribusinesses include Kacholo, Kuminda, Takura Farm, Avomac Farm, Forrester Estate, Navaco, Agrilikimo Farmers, Procitru Pvt Ltd, Edenchase Pvt Ltd, Surrey Group/Tanaka and Dodhill.
