Zimpapers Logo

Elton Manguwo

THE recent Zimbabwe/UAE Business Forum will lay the foundation for the competitive participation of more smallholder farmers in export-oriented agriculture.

In an interview with The Herald, national trade development and promotion organisation, ZimTrade, communications manager Mr Danai Majaha said the forum, a collaborative effort between the two countries, was targeting to create new business opportunities while strengthening existing trade and investment ties.

“One of the key outcomes of the forum is increased access for Zimbabwe’s smallholder farmers to the UAE’s lucrative export markets. The UAE with its high-income population and growing demand for agricultural products present a promising destination for Zimbabwean farmers to sell their goods,” he said.

ZimTrade has since made it possible for 14 leading buyers from UAE to engage with local companies during the two-day forum.

“The buyers delegation is specifically interested in fresh fruits, vegetables, tea and coffee,”said Mr Majaha highlighting that the UAE was a major hub for international trade and presented an opportunity for Zimbabwean exporters to tap into a diverse and affluent market.

The UAE has a growing consumer preference for special teas and coffees, opening up new avenues for Zimbabwe’s tea and coffee industries to gain recognition for their exceptional quality and unique flavours.

The business forum therefore has the potential to significantly increase Zimbabwe’s tea and coffee exports, fostering economic growth within the sector and giving local producers an opportunity to showcase their premium tea and coffee products. The products have caught the attention of UAE buyers who value exquisite and sustainable beverages.

“Their visit will help producers in the tea and coffee sector get a better understanding of consumer preferences, demand trends and pricing dynamics in international markets,” said Mr Majaha.

Apart from the business forum, UAE buyers will also go on company visits within the eastern region of Zimbabwe with the hope of opening new market opportunities for Zimbabwean tea and coffee products in the Middle East and other regions.

“Building on the country’s rich agricultural resources, local businesses can highlight the quality and natural goodness of Zimbabwean products, capturing the interest of UAE buyers who seek unique and healthy food offerings,” said Mr Majaha.

By leveraging this market potential, Zimbabwean horticultural exporters can also significantly contribute to the country’s economic growth and secure a prominent position within the UAE’s thriving agricultural import landscape.

The forum is set to serve as a catalyst for enhancing the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s export sector on a global scale providing a platform for exposure to international market trends and insights into buyer preferences, demands and requirements, which will assist Zimbabwean exporters as they work towards improving their production processes, packaging standards and product quality, ensuring their offerings align with international standards and regulations.

Chief executive officer of Kuminda, a local horticulture export company Mr Clarence Mwale said they were already putting programmes and initiatives in place to grow crops for the UAE market adding that small-scale farmers would benefit from this market that has less strict requirements for trade.

“The company relies on small-scale farmers to aggregate produce for export to the EU markets therefore expansion into the UAE would mean the empowerment of more farmers,” he said explaining that he was happy to welcome the delegation into his office and pack house when they visited him recently.