Brighton Gumbo Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE is set to resume fresh fruit exports to Mauritius with a call on farmers to increase production to match external demand. The country’s trade agency — ZimTrade — says the Mauritius market for fresh fruits has increased by 30 percent over the past five years, presenting an opportunity for Zimbabwe.The Indian Ocean Island does not produce fresh fruits and relies on imports, according to ZimTrade.
Among its major imports are citrus fruits, apples, nuts, grapes and peaches. “Mauritius imports of fresh fruits have increased by 30 percent over the past five years (2010-2014),” ZimTrade said. While Zimbabwe is a producer and exporter of quality fruits such as citrus (oranges, lemons and valencia), the country has not featured as a supplier to Mauritius during the past five years.
South Africa, Egypt, the United States and Italy are among dominant suppliers. “Statistics show that in 2001, Zimbabwe exported fresh fruit to Mauritius, supplying citrus, peaches, apricots, strawberries as well as nuts,” said Zimtrade.
“There’s, therefore, scope for Zimbabwean fresh fruit producers to regain their market share given that the Mauritian market is steadily growing. “ZimTrade is urging fresh fruit producers to tap into this market given that they could benefit from the duty-free access into Mauritius under the Comesa Free Trade Area and the Sadc Trade Protocol.”
ZimTrade said the Mauritian economy has been growing at an annual rate of over three percent since 2010 and is expected to continue on this trajectory in the coming years. It also urged exporters to comply with food quality and safety standards such as Global GAP, Fair Trade and Verified Carbon Standards.
Zimbabwe has the potential to develop a vibrant horticulture sector. At its peak in 1999, horticulture generated $143 million in exports and it was the third largest foreign currency earner in the agricultural sector. It contributed four percent to the gross domestic product.