Under President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic, the prioritisation of agriculture is propelling Zimbabwe towards becoming a key player in Africa’s agrochemical sector.
The focus on agricultural modernisation and industrialisation has fostered growth in the broader agriculture sector, creating opportunities for local companies to diversify their product range and expand into new markets.
This strategic emphasis is positioning Zimbabwe competitively within Africa’s agricultural landscape, particularly in regional markets such as Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana and Tanzania.
The agrochemicals sub-sector, encompassing fertilisers, pesticides and other vital agricultural inputs, is undergoing significant transformation.
Zimbabwean agrochemical manufacturers are scaling up production, leveraging local processing of raw materials to reduce import reliance and lower costs.
This approach has enabled them to offer tailored, cost-effective solutions that meet the unique needs of African farming systems.
As a result, Zimbabwean products are becoming increasingly competitive across Southern African markets.
In addition, sustainability and innovation trends are also reshaping the sector.
For example, local manufacturers are adopting environmentally friendly practices, such as developing bio-based and organic agrochemical solutions, positioning Zimbabwe as a responsible player in regional value chains.
This focus on sustainability is enhancing the country’s reputation in agrochemical export markets.
Global market size
According to Trade Map 2024, global imports of agrochemicals reached US$144,3 billion in 2023, reflecting a robust growth trajectory.
Within this global context, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) market alone imported US$4,4 billion worth of agrochemicals in 2023, up from US$2,7 billion in 2019.
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) imports showed similar growth, climbing to US$4,9 billion in 2023 from US$3,1 billion in 2019.
Africa’s agrochemical market is highly competitive, with imports dominated by countries such as China, Morocco and Russia.
According to Trade Map, China alone accounted for US$2,2 billion in exports to African countries in 2023, followed by Morocco at US$1,1 billion and Russia at US$816 million.
Regional producers like South Africa and Egypt are also significant players, exporting US$685 million and US$563 million, respectively.
This competitive environment underscores the need for Zimbabwean companies to carve out a niche, potentially focusing on innovative, eco-friendly agrochemicals or leveraging proximity to regional markets to reduce logistical costs.
Analysis of bilateral trade data involving African countries reveals that specific product categories present significant opportunities for Zimbabwean exporters.
Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) dominate regional demand, with imports in African markets reaching US$1,4 billion in 2022.
Similarly, products like insecticides, herbicides and fungicides — essential for improving crop yields — saw imports of US$296 million within African markets in 2023.
Key opportunities
Global and regional agriculture sectors are expanding, and the demand for agrochemicals continues to rise, presenting Zimbabwe with a unique opportunity to tap into these markets and drive export-led growth.
Closer to home, the demand for fertilisers and crop protection products is growing across Southern Africa due to the region’s reliance on agriculture as a key economic activity.
The potential for export growth is particularly high in countries such as Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, which are all experiencing an increase in agricultural activity.
As demand for fertilisers and crop protection products increases in these countries, Zimbabwean companies are well-positioned to capitalise on this growth by offering cost-effective solutions that cater for the specific agricultural needs of each market.
The Sunday Mail
