Horticulture growers to attend Macfrut Expo

HORTICULTURE growers from Zimbabwe are set to exhibit at this year’s Macfrut Expo in Italy, which will take place from May 3 to May 5 in Rimini, and anticipates at least 40 000 guests.

This will be the third time Zimbabwe would be attending the prime global annual fruit and vegetable exhibition.

According to Zimtrade, the horticulture sector in 2022 managed to rake in US$6,4 million compared to US$2,4 million the previous season. Speaking at the pre-Macfrut exhibition stakeholder meeting in Harare yesterday, Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka said the Italy expo would open more horticulture export markets for Zimbabwe in the European Union.

Macfrut president Renzo Piraccini

“Zimbabwe is renowned for the quality of its organic horticulture produce which include macadamia, avocadoes, blueberries, oranges, bananas, tea and coffee among others,” he said.

“These opportunities are further reinforced by the fact that the country has large market access for blueberries in the European Union which can be accessed through economic partnerships agreements.

“The horticulture sector is set to contribute 10 percent of the country’s total export earnings. In order to realise this potential, horticulture recovery growth plan has two broad focus areas which are private sector-driven recovery of the conventional horticulture sub-sector and more importantly a robust inclusive, sustainable and transformative rural horticulture sub-sector,” Masuka said.

Macfruit president Renzo Piraccini, who is in Zimbabwe for the meeting, said the country has the potential to be one of the leading global exporters of horticulture crops, but there is a need to invest in technology for local products to meet global standards.

“There are a lot of opportunities for Zimbabwe to be one of the leading horticulture exporters. If you invest in technology, you will be able to triple what you are getting as revenue now.

“The farmers’ ideas are to get viable international markets, but in Africa fruits are more expensive in supermarkets. You cannot increase production if consumption levels are too low,” he said.

“Zimbabwe has the same weather conditions as South Africa; they are producing very nice and tasty blueberries. I am sure you can also do the same. This year’s edition will be focusing more on blueberry production because there is a huge global market for that.”