South Africa remains at the top of the list of Zimbabwean export and import partners.There are, however, differences in the lists of top export and import partners for the next four places.The country’s main export partners in 2023 were South Africa (30.9% of total exports), United Arab Emirates (26.4%), China (17.7%), Mozambique (5.5%) and Belgium (2.9%).Zimbabwe’s main volumes of imports in 2023 came from South Africa (38%), China (14.9%), Bahamas (5.1%), Singapore (5%) and Bahrain (3 . 5%) .In 2023, Zimbabwe exported goods worth approximately $2.23 billion to South Africa and imported around $3.39bn from its neighbour.South Africa’s main legal imports from Zimbabwe were nickel mattes ($989 million), raw tobacco ($103m), mineral fuels and oils ($119m) and diamonds and precious stones.Exports from South Africa to Zimbabwe include machinery and equipment, such as delivery trucks ($328m) and other industrial machinery, refined petroleum ($91 m) and electricity.Exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have grown by over 300% since 2019, according to OEC figures. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached around $3bn in 2023 – up from $2bn in 2022. The balance is heavily in Zimbabwe’s favour, with exports to the UAE valued at $2.7bn and imports $300 million.Zimbabwe’s main exports to the UAE include diamonds and other gemstones, tobacco and edible fruits such as macadamia nuts, bananas, avocados and citrus fruits.Zimbabwean imports from the UAE include fertilisers, electrical equipment and gadgets, and pharmaceuticals. Speaking at the UAE’s 53rd National Day celebration, Zimbabwean foreign affairs and international trade minister Amon Murwira said negotiations were under way to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. The two established diplomatic relations in June 1996.China is the only trade partner other than South Africa to appear on both lists.China trade growingIn 2023, trade between Zimbabwe and China grew by about 30%, to reach around $3.12bn.Zimbabwe enjoyed a trade surplus of over $1bn, with exports totalling around $2.1bn and imports $951m.Tobacco was the biggest export commodity at $301m, followed by ferroalloys ($229m), mineral products including chromium and other metals, and agricultural products (macadamia nuts, citrus fruits, and increasingly blueberries).Zimbabwean imports from China include stone processing machines, delivery trucks and electrical transformers and consumer goods.Trade between the two continues to be supported by the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2018.China is now one of Zimbabwe’s largest sources of foreign direct investment. Mozambique exports upThere was a 109% increase in Zimbabwean exports to Mozambique in 2023, totalling $398m. Zimbabwe’s imports from Mozambique were valued at around $161m during the same period. The main imports were petroleum oils and electricity.Exports included tobacco, fresh produce, mining supplies and packaging materials and wood products.Exports totalling $297m to Belgium were diamonds ($157m), raw tobacco ($138m) and building stone ($574 000). Zimbabwe’s exports to Belgium have increased at an annualised rate of 36.9% over the past five years, rising from $61.6m in 2017 to $297m in 2022.Imports from the Bahamas, Singapore and Bahrain were mainly mineral fuels, oils and chemicals, with no significant exports. Singapore is also an important supplier of electrical equipment and machinery, and pharmaceuticals.Zimbabwe is a member of the Southern African Development Community, belongs to the 22-nation Preferential Trade Area of Eastern and Southern Africa, has bilateral trade agreements with Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, and signed the interim Economic Partnership Agreement under the Eastern and Southern African bloc with the European Commission in 2009, and joined the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).ER
