From Tobacco to Blueberries: Zimbabwe's Bold Leap into Superfruit Farming

Zimbabwe is renowned as Africa’s largest producer of tobacco, generating record sales of $1.3 billion last year amidst a rising demand from smokers in China. However, the country is now eyeing a future in something healthier: blueberries. With a historic agreement with China, the world’s biggest blueberry importer, Zimbabwe aims to establish itself as Africa’s blueberry capital.

Despite the booming tobacco market, where the country saw a recent surge in exports, the potential for blueberries, currently valued at $30 million, is exciting many farmers. Horticulture expert Clarence Mwale emphasizes that ”the future is food, not a bad habit” at a bustling warehouse in Harare. The new trade deal includes eliminating tariffs on Zimbabwean blueberries, offering a much-needed boost to the economy.

Alistair Campbell, a former cricket team captain turned blueberry farmer, highlights the advantages of their crop. With a high-tech 50 hectare farm, they cultivate blueberries under strict conditions, watering each plant meticulously to ensure quality. Campbell also notes that Zimbabwe’s blueberries come into season early, which could set them apart from competitors like Peru, who currently dominates global blueberry exports.

As Zimbabwe anticipates a 50% increase in production this year, expectations are set high, targeting 12,000 tonnes. Neighboring South Africa, which produces 25,000 tonnes, struggles with export tariffs to the US, making the Chinese market even more attractive for Zimbabwean farmers.

The agreement with China is hailed as a milestone for Zimbabwe’s horticultural sector, with potential plans to increase production to 30,000 tonnes by 2030. However, concerns loom regarding the security of land ownership and the state of the economy, as issues from past land reforms and a cash crisis affect investor confidence.

Currently, blueberry farming provides approximately 6,000 jobs, primarily for women, allowing them to become sole breadwinners. This has prompted calls for involving more young farmers in blueberry production, aiming for an expansion of opportunities in what many see as the future of agriculture in Zimbabwe.

With a shift from promoting tobacco, linked to health crises, to advocating for a superfood that aligns with global health trends, Zimbabwe is attempting to redefine itself on the agricultural map.