In northern Harare, workers at a fresh-produce packaging facility are preparing sugar snap peas for export, a vital activity for Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector. However, this year’s export season faces significant challenges amid increased freight costs linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Kuminda, a company representing around 5,000 small-scale farmers, is grappling with a substantial rise in shipping expenses. The cost to export fresh produce to European markets has nearly doubled compared to last year, surging from approximately $2–$2.20 per kilogram to $3.80 per kilogram. Kuminda’s CEO Clarence Mwale attributed the increase primarily to higher fuel prices and disruptions to flights connecting Zimbabwe with the United Arab Emirates, a key transit point for European-bound cargo.

Zimbabwe plays a crucial role in supplying sugar snap peas to Europe, accounting for about 60% of the United Kingdom’s imports, particularly during the UK’s off-season between April and October. Yet, Mwale expressed concerns that the higher freight costs diminish the country’s competitiveness against other producers in Egypt, Kenya, and South America, which benefit from greater access to air freight options and lower shipping expenses. In response, some exporters are turning to sea freight alternatives, despite the longer transit time of roughly 30 days.

The horticulture industry in Zimbabwe has been rebuilding after decades of disruption, particularly following the government-led seizure of white-owned farms in the early 2000s, an event that coincided with a dramatic economic downturn. Despite these setbacks, the sector showed promising growth in recent years, with exports reaching a record $181.7 million in 2025, largely driven by blueberry shipments. This figure surpasses the previous peak of $140 million recorded in 1999, just prior to the farm seizures.

Since succeeding Robert Mugabe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has emphasized agricultural revitalization and has pursued efforts to strengthen ties with white farmers to boost production. Nonetheless, rising operational costs due to international conflicts and fuel price increases continue to strain exporters.

The Horticultural Development Council (HDC) has called on the Zimbabwean government to assist farmers in mitigating these challenges. HDC CEO Linda Nielsen recommended targeted measures such as tax relief on essential inputs like packaging materials, expedited value-added tax (VAT) refunds to improve cash flow, and efforts to reduce fuel costs through levy reductions. Such interventions are viewed as critical to sustaining the recovery of Zimbabwe’s horticultural exports amid ongoing global uncertainties.