ZIMBABWE is seeking to increase blueberry, avocado, chilli and citrus exports to Singapore to tap into its US$15 billion food market, as the country moves to diversify exports and strengthen trade relations with the tropical island.
The strategic move was unveiled during a market scan dissemination programme hosted by ZimTrade in Harare yesterday, where stakeholders from the two countries explored opportunities in agricultural trade.
Singapore, one of the world’s top trading nations, presents a significant market opportunity for Zimbabwe, as 90% of its food is imported due to limited agricultural land.
In 2024, Zimbabwe exported goods worth approximately US$10,3 million to Singapore, which mainly included blueberries, avocados and chillies.
Comparatively, Singapore exported US$343,34 million worth of goods to Zimbabwe, according to national statistics.
“Zimbabwe’s potential in agriculture is immense and it aligns with our strategy to source high-quality produce for Singapore’s food market,” Singapore Business Federation (SBF) business adviser Rusyaidi Radzi said.
“Singapore imports over 90% of its food and Zimbabwe’s fertile land and production capabilities are well suited to meet this demand, particularly for high-value crops like blueberries, avocados and citrus.”
He added that Zimbabwe’s agricultural and value-added export capabilities remain underutilised in the Singaporean market and the apex business chamber sought to bridge that gap.
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“SBF connects businesses with opportunities globally, including in Africa. Rather than only discussing potential, we focus on actionable facilitation—introducing companies to the right counterparts, sharing market insights and addressing entry barriers,” Radzi said.
“We do this through our platform, Global Connect at SBF.”
One example of this facilitation is SoIAgri, a Singapore-based agri commodities and food solutions firm identified and introduced to ZimTrade by SBF.
Since the introduction, SoIAgri has been actively exploring project opportunities in Zimbabwe’s agricultural value chain.
“Their involvement reflects growing interest among Singapore traders in sourcing directly from Zimbabwe,” Radzi said.
“These engagements demonstrate that both emerging and established Singaporean firms are recognising Zimbabwe’s commercial potential, particularly in high-value agriculture.”
ZimTrade operations director Similo Nkala said Singapore’s US$10 billion annual food imports offer a huge opportunity for Zimbabwe.
Singapore imports about 90% of its food, supporting an average market of about US$10 billion annually. And this is not just for domestic consumption, Singapore is a re-export hub as well. It’s a significant opportunity for Zimbabwe,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s blueberry exports alone reached US$50 million in 2024, a 350% increase since 2020, placing the country among Africa’s top producers.
“Our avocados are now available from Europe to the Middle East and our citrus fruits are celebrated for their exceptional flavour,” Nkala said.
“These achievements are the result of dedication from our producers and exporters, who have stepped up to feed the world.”
He added that Singapore’s market scan was not a mere fact-finding mission, but a revelation that laid a foundation for future engagement.
“Singapore is a cash-rich hub where consumers demand quality, consistency and sustainability. Our exporters must ensure consistent supply and meet the high standards expected,” Nkala said.
“When we were asked if Zimbabwe could meet these expectations, our response was simple: we already supply the EU and Middle East markets—Singapore is well within reach.”
Nkala added that the Singapore food market was projected to grow by US$15 billion by 2030, offering an immense platform for Zimbabwean exports.
“Today’s seminar is a launchpad to new horizons as we work to diversify our export markets,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Indonesia, Martin Makururu, who also oversees relations with Singapore, urged deeper collaboration.
“The market scan findings show strong appetite for Zimbabwean produce, especially in horticulture. I encourage Singaporean investors to consider contract farming with local farmers to secure the right crop varieties,” he said.
