Zimbabwe's horticulture industry has staged one of agriculture's strongest recoveries, with export earnings rising from US$59.8 million in 2024 to US$181.7 million in 2025. However, sustaining that momentum will require more than higher production. Industry players say the sector must overcome persistent constraints in logistics, finance, infrastructure and market access if it is to compete with regional rivals and achieve its ambitious export targets.

The launch of Hortiforum, a new platform established by the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) and supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, reflects growing recognition that Zimbabwe's next phase of growth will depend on addressing structural bottlenecks across the fresh produce value chain rather than simply increasing output.

The initiative brings together growers, exporters, logistics providers, input suppliers, financiers and policymakers to coordinate solutions aimed at improving the operating environment for the country's fruit and vegetable industry.

The Netherlands Embassy said the forum is intended to foster stronger collaboration across the sector.

"Hortiforum will drive conversations and partnerships to improve the operating environment and bolster the production and export of Zimbabwe's fantastic fruit and vegetables," the Embassy said.

The launch comes at a time when Zimbabwe is making significant gains in horticultural exports.

Earlier this month, the country shipped its first commercial consignment of blueberries to China following the signing of a phytosanitary protocol, opening access to one of the world's fastest-growing premium fruit markets. Zimbabwe expects blueberry exports to increase to 12,000 tonnes in 2026, up from 9,500 tonnes in 2025, while the planted area is projected to expand from 650 hectares to about 850 hectares.

Zimbabwe is now Africa's third-largest blueberry producer, after Morocco and South Africa.

Yet the industry's biggest challenge is no longer proving it can grow produce; it is proving it can compete consistently in demanding export markets.

According to the Southern Hemisphere Fruit Alliance Statistical Yearbook 2026, Europe absorbs about 81% of Zimbabwe's fruit exports, making compliance with strict food safety, traceability and quality standards increasingly important.

The report argues that improving infrastructure, logistics, investment and policy coordination will be essential to reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening competitiveness.

Those priorities mirror challenges the Horticultural Development Council has repeatedly highlighted. The organisation says its strategic focus includes improving infrastructure and logistics, increasing access to finance and investment, expanding export markets, strengthening sustainability and creating a more enabling policy environment for exporters. It also notes that it represents growers responsible for roughly 70% of Zimbabwe's horticultural exports.

During its 2026 Annual General Meeting, HDC Chairman Alistair Campbell warned that "HDC cannot be a spectator body," urging members to play a more active role in policy engagement and sector development as the council pursues its vision of building a US$2.5 billion export industry supporting 600,000 jobs.

The scale of that ambition highlights both the opportunity and the challenge.

The Government's National Development Strategy identifies horticulture as one of Zimbabwe's most promising export sectors but acknowledges that the industry has never fully recovered from the collapse of commercial production, cold-chain infrastructure and export logistics following the Fast Track Land Reform Programme. The strategy notes that horticultural exports fell from around US$143 million in the 1990s to about US$40 million.

While exports have rebounded sharply over the past two years, growers continue to cite high financing costs, expensive air freight, unreliable electricity, inadequate cold-chain facilities and compliance costs as major constraints to expansion. Recent HDC statements have also identified improved access to finance, lower production costs and better logistics as prerequisites for sustaining growth.

Against that backdrop, Hortiforum represents more than just another industry platform. Its success will ultimately be measured by whether it delivers tangible improvements in competitiveness rather than simply facilitating dialogue.

The Netherlands Embassy welcomed the initiative, saying it would strengthen Zimbabwe's position as a supplier of quality fresh produce.

"We were glad to support the launch of Hortiforum – a new platform from the Horticultural Development Council bringing together players from across the fresh produce supply chain in Zimbabwe," the Embassy said, adding: "Congratulations to the HDC on another initiative to strengthen Zimbabwe's position as a leading source of quality fresh produce."