Zimbabwe-China trade hits record as tobacco exports rise

Trade with China hit record billions, tobacco leads, and Chinese projects reshape Zimbabwe's industry.

Zimbabwe-China trade spike

• Bilateral trade reached US$4.39 billion last year.
• Annual growth hit 14.7 percent.
• China bought US$2.56 billion from Zimbabwe.
• Zimbabwe kept a US$720 million surplus.

Tobacco drives exports

• Tobacco earned US$790 million from Chinese demand.
• Leaf sales formed 31 percent of Chinese purchases.
• National output passed 300 million kilograms in 2025.
• Contract farming backs over 140000 growers.

Macadamia and fruit pipeline

• China took 5250 tonnes of macadamias worth US$11.62 million.
• Orchards span over 10000 hectares in Chipinge and Chimanimani.
• Avocado and blueberry protocols cleared for China.
• Shipments are expected this year.

Chinese-backed industry push

• Dinson Iron and Steel Company expanded into rods and mill balls.
• Local steel output trims import costs by US$500000 yearly.
• Beijing funds energy, aviation, and telecom projects.
• Ties trace back to the liberation war era and the 1980 independence.