Top 6 Export Products Driving Zimbabwe’s Trade Growth

Gold, tobacco, and nickel products lead Zimbabwe's export expansion

by Adedotun Oyeniyi

KEY POINTS


  • Semi-manufactured gold and tobacco are leading exports, driving significant trade revenue.
  • Nickel products, including mattes and ores, have gained prominence in the export sector.
  • Ferrochrome exports continue to contribute to Zimbabwe’s industrial and economic growth.

Zimbabwe’s economy is gradually diversifying, with exports playing a critical role in its growth.

The nation’s vast natural resources, combined with efforts to boost productivity in various sectors, have positioned key products at the forefront of trade.

Below are the some export products that are contributing significantly to the export business in Zimbabwe.

Gold

Gold is one of Zimbabwe’s export product that is contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings. With extensive gold reserves across the country, mining remains a vital sector.

In recent years, artisanal mining has also played a role in boosting production, despite challenges such as smuggling and illegal mining activities.

Efforts to formalize and regulate the sector could further enhance its contribution to trade growth.

Tobacco

Tobacco is one of Zimbabwe’s leading export product, with the country ranking among the top tobacco producers globally.

The leaf is much sought after especially in China’s and Europe where Zimbabwean tobacco is known to be of superior quality.

Tobacco farming also generates an employment opportunity to thousands of small-scale farmers and adds to agriculture sector performance.

Nickel Mattes, ores and concentrates

Nickel mattes have now developed into a major export commodity, representing 12.2 percent of the export value in October 2024.

This has signified the country’s ability to get the best out of it and satisfy the growing international market demand for nickel mainly in the manufacture of stainless steel and batteries.

Supporting the export of nickel mattes, nickel ores and concentrates remain the other important export commodities of Zimbabwe.

In January 2024, these products occupied 11.9 percent of the total export value which proves the country’s potential in manufacturing raw nickel.

Platinum and other minerals

Zimbabwe boasts of having large deposits of platinum group metals commonly referred to as PGMs these include platinum, palladium and rhodium.

The country is also among the biggest producers of platinum, the mining of which is mainly done in Great Dyke.

These metals are vital in areas like automobiles and electronics, which steady the markets demand for these metals in the international market.

Ferrochrome

Ferrochrome is an alloy containing chromium and iron, mainly used in the manufacture of stainless steel and Zimbabwe is one of the producer of the product.

With large chromite reserves, the country is a key player in global ferrochrome exports.

Ferrochrome mining and smelting are significant sources of trade revenue as well as industrial growth.

Agricultural products

Besides tobacco, Zimbabwe’s exports other agricultural products such as sugar, cotton, as well as horticultural produce including vegetables and flowers.

They help to expand the range of exported goods and are a source of constant income for the country’s rural farmers. With improved irrigation systems and investment in agricultural technology, this sector has the potential to drive further trade growth.

The major exports are gold, tobacco, nickel, platinum, ferrochrome and agricultural products are the driving force of Zimbabwe’s export trade sector.

Through the elimination of the problems like infrastructure and regulation restraints, the country can enhance the export capabilities and strengthen its position at international level.

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