Trade between Zimbabwe and China peaked at US$4,3 billion in 2025, with China importing tobacco worth US$720 million from the southern African country, official figures showed.
This consolidates China’s position among Zimbabwe’s largest trading partners, cemented by strong bilateral ties.
The United Arab Emirates, South Africa, China and the European Union accounted for over 80% of Zimbabwe’s export earnings, largely driven by gold, tobacco and horticulture.
According to trade figures posted by the Chinese Embassy on its X handle, Zimbabwe, a key global tobacco producer, enjoyed a trade surplus of US$720 million with China.
“China-Zimbabwe trade reached a new height in 2025. Bilateral trade reached US$4,39 billion, a record high, up 14,7% year-on-year. Zimbabwe recorded a trade surplus of US$720 million with China,” the Chinese Embassy said.
Zimbabwe, which produced 352 million kilogrammes of the golden leaf, generating about US$1,2 billion, shipped the bulk of the cash crop to China.
“Tobacco remained China’s largest import from Zimbabwe, reaching a record US$790 million, accounting for 31% of China’s total imports from Zimbabwe,” the embassy said.
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China exported US$1,84 billion worth of goods to Zimbabwe.
That represents a 33,7% increase from 2024 figures. Zimbabwe’s horticulture shipments to China, largely underpinned by macadamia nuts, are expected to further increase in 2026.
“China also imported 5 250 tonnes of macadamia nuts from Zimbabwe, valued at US$11,62 million.
“Export protocols for Zimbabwean avocado and blueberry to China have been finalised, with shipments set to begin in 2026,” the embassy noted.
Harare and Beijing upgraded their relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in 2018.
This later culminated in a further upgrade of ties to an “all-weather community with a shared future”.
The latest elevation aims to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure, energy and technology. — Staff Writer.
