As an industry, horticulture continues to register phenomenal growth and expansion. Production for the export market currently involves flowers, fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices, essential oils and tree nuts.Zimbabwe is endowed with a diverse sub-tropical climate which, when combined with a wide range of abundant natural resources, facilitates the production of both tropical and temperate crops. The good climate and soil types enhance the production of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables whose quality does not require chemical ripener. In addition, there are well over 45 different types of cut flowers.
The main export crops are:
: temperate fruits - apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, nectarine and grape;
: tropical fruits and vegetables - baby corn, butternut, citrus, chilli, gem squash, kiwi, lychee, mango, passion fruit, pineapple and tamarillo;
: out of season fruit and vegetables - asparagus, baby carrots, fine beans, cherry tomatoes, courgettes, mange tout peas, melon, strawberries and sweet corn;
: flowers - protea, roses, chrysanthemum, liatris, aster, chelone, euphorbia, trachelium, ammi majus, statice and delphinium.
The horticulture industry in Zimbabwe is built on a high standard of management and technology, with producers in close contact with, and aware of the needs of, their markets. Zimbabwean growers and exporters have developed systems designed to promote the attainment of a quality product range based on areliable supply. Revenues from horticultural exports have grown from Z$3.1 million in 1985 to well over Z$350 million in 1993: this can confidently be regarded as phenomenal export growth.
The cut flower sector accounts for about 57 percent of the total value of horticultural exports, with roses being the single most important product. During the 1984/85 season 235 tonnes of cut flowers were exported; an estimated 8000 tonnes will be exported during the 19994/95 season. Most of Zimbabwe's flowers are grown in naturally fertile soils during the northern hemisphere's winter. Citrus exports are destined for phenomenal expansion once the newly-established orchards and plantations commence economic yields.
For strategic reasons, the citrus industry has committed itself to a 20 percent shareholding in the privatised Beira Citrus Cold Store. Beira is the most cost-effective port for all the citrus and subtropical fruit produced in the highveld of Zimbabwe. In addition to fresh fruit, Zimbabwe is due to start exporting frozen vegetables and fruit. Exports of dried fruit and vegetables are still at a low level.
Many growers involved in export are located near Harare. Their farms are irrigated and have packing sheds with cold stores. A recent trend has been production under greenhouses. Forced-air pre-cooling facilities are also available, ensuring produce is harvested, cooled and packed for export in record time so as to maintain the cold chain so crucial if quality is to be attained. A number of packhouses have been introduced with some wholesalers up-dating their cold stores as well.
More investment in airfreight capacity is needed to cope with the phenomenal growth (about 25 percent per annum) in the industry. At present Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Paris,London, Perth, Sydney and Zurich are serviced from Harare by Air Zimbabwe, Affretair, British Airways, KLM, Air France, CargoLux, Lufthansa, TAP, Swissair, South African Airways and Qantas. Several other European airlines are negotiating to operate into Zimbabwe.