In brief
ZimTrade announced a delegation of 17 Zimbabwean firms—including horticulture, manufacturing, handicrafts, leather, construction, tourism and e-commerce—will exhibit at the ninth edition of the China International Import Expo in Shanghai from Nov. 5‑10. The move follows China’s expanded zero‑tariff arrangements and a 51.6% surge in bilateral trade to $5.01 billion in 2026, underscoring Zimbabwe’s push to diversify exports beyond minerals and tobacco.
On Saturday, ZimTrade, Zimbabwe’s national trade development organization, announced that a delegation of 17 companies will travel to Shanghai to exhibit at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) from November 5 to 10.
The delegation will represent a range of sectors, including horticulture, manufacturing, handicrafts, leather, construction, tourism, and e-commerce, as it seeks new buyers, establishes business partnerships, and explores opportunities stemming from China’s growing demand for imported products.
“The exhibition is expected to support Zimbabwe’s broader efforts to diversify its export basket, strengthen its presence in China and translate growing bilateral economic relations into sustainable business opportunities for local enterprises,” ZimTrade said in its October 2026 newsletter.
China’s expanded zero‑tariff arrangements, which took effect on May 1, have enabled local businesses to competitively introduce a wider range of products into the Asian market. ZimTrade highlighted that these arrangements are expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Zimbabwean products, particularly processed foods, branded agricultural products, finished leather, and arts and crafts.
Among the sectors the delegation’s products will represent, horticulture shows significant potential. Macadamia nuts, citrus, avocado, and blueberries have secured market access pathways to China; the successful entry of Zimbabwean blueberries into the Chinese market this year has demonstrated the commercial opportunities that can emerge when improved market access is complemented by export readiness and targeted market development.
Bilateral trade between Zimbabwe and China surged to US$5.01 billion in the first nine months of 2026—a 51.6 percent year‑on‑year increase, according to the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe. While minerals and tobacco continue to dominate Zimbabwe’s exports to China, an increasingly visible shift toward processed agricultural products, manufactured goods and other value‑added exports is underway.
The ninth edition of the CIIE is a major international trade exhibition that gathers buyers and suppliers from around the globe. ZimTrade’s delegation will use the platform to tap into China’s broader market opportunities and bring Zimbabwe’s emerging export categories to new audiences.