UK Buyers Visit Zimbabwe As Trade Opportunities Grow
Four UK fresh produce trading businesses and importers are visiting Zimbabwe this week to explore new sourcing opportunities and build direct relationships with growers of a diverse range of fruits and vegetables from fine beans to blueberries.
The six-day mission, running from 26 September to 2 October, will see buyers visit Zimbabwean farms and meet producers to assess their potential to supply the UK market.
The programme is being delivered through the Making Trade Happen (MTH) project, which is funded by the UK government and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC).
The visit follows a successful trade mission held in March, and is designed to give UK buyers a closer look at Zimbabwe’s horticultural production and export capabilities, according to a press release from ITC.
Farm visits and business meetings will focus on the practical considerations involved in establishing commercial supply relationships, including product quality, available volumes, seasonality, supply schedules, and export readiness.
Broadening UK Sourcing
The mission will highlight a broad range of Zimbabwean fresh produce, including fine beans, mangetout, sugar snaps, and chillies, as well as organic production.
The UK buyers will assess opportunities for blueberries, avocados, oranges, and other citrus fruit from Zimbabwe too.
The direct farm visits are intended to give buyers greater visibility of production, harvesting, and export preparation, while giving Zimbabwean growers an opportunity to understand the requirements of the UK market at first hand.
The potential for increased Zimbabwean horticultural exports is supported by the Economic Partnership Agreement between Eastern and Southern African countries and the UK (ESA-UK EPA).
Eligible Zimbabwean products can enter the UK duty-free and quota-free under the agreement.
The UK market provides an established route for Zimbabwean growers and exporters to expand their international sales, subject to meeting the relevant commercial, quality, and market requirements.
From Farm Visits To Fruit Attraction
The UK mission is part of a wider programme of international market development for Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector.
Just days after the UK buyers complete their visit, Zimbabwean businesses supported by the Making Trade Happen project will travel to Madrid, Spain, for Fruit Attraction, which takes place on 6-8 October.
The businesses involved, including participants in this week’s UK trade mission, will use the international fresh produce trade fair to showcase Zimbabwean products and meet buyers from Europe and other international markets.
The Making Trade Happen programme is aimed at helping Zimbabwean horticulture small and medium-sized enterprises become export-ready and establish commercial connections in overseas markets.
Increased horticultural exports are also identified as a potential contributor to Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy II (NDS II) for 2026–2030, through export earnings, business growth, and employment across agricultural value chains.
For UK buyers, this week’s trade mission provides an opportunity to assess Zimbabwe as a potential source of a range of fresh produce while establishing direct links with growers and exporters.
The Fresh Produce Hub, IFE 2027
Another route for international fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers looking to build relationships with UK buyers will come at IFE 2027, the International Food and Drink Event.
Taking place on 5-7 April 2027, the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) will host a dedicated fresh produce event section and meeting point for businesses called the Fresh Produce Hub.
This vibrant hub will connect suppliers directly with buyers, offering a powerful opportunity to showcase products, develop new commercial contacts, and explore potential supply opportunities with the UK.
For growers and exporters seeking to build their presence in the UK fresh produce market, IFE 2027 provides another platform to turn global supply interest into real commercial connections.
Email FPC's Linda Bloomfield for more information.
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