Farai Mabeza
Zimbabwe’s trade with China surged by 51.6% year-on-year to US$5.01 billion in the first nine months of 2026, according to China Customs data cited by the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe.
The growth highlights deepening economic ties between the two countries, with Zimbabwe’s agricultural exports also gaining greater access to the Chinese market.
Tobacco remained a major export, with Zimbabwe’s tobacco shipments to China reaching US$860 million, an increase of 9.3% over the same period.
A new milestone was recorded in July when Zimbabwean blueberries entered the Chinese market for the first time, opening another potential avenue for agricultural exporters.
The Chinese Embassy said Beijing was backing Zimbabwe’s efforts to take advantage of preferential market access.
“China supports Zimbabwe in fully leveraging the zero-tariff policy to expand its exports,” the embassy said in a statement posted on its X account.
The embassy added that stronger economic and trade cooperation between the two countries was delivering “shared prosperity for both nations.”
The latest figures point to growing opportunities for Zimbabwean producers seeking to diversify exports beyond traditional commodities, while China continues to consolidate its position as one of Zimbabwe’s key trading partners.
