Published: 25 January 2018

Zimbabwe's banana production increased 186 percent over two years to 45 775 tonnes in 2017, from 16 000 tonnes in 2015, industry data shows.

According to a Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) report for Manicaland - a major banana producing region - the province produced 81 percent (396 975 tonnes) of the total output, with the balance of 29 percent (8 800 tonnes), coming from the rest of the country. Despite the sharp increase in national production, the country only managed to export a mere five percent (2 000 tonnes) to South Africa and Zambia, while the remainder was consumed locally.

This is less than the two truckloads exported to Zambia per week and the 5 000 tonnes exported to South Africa in 2015.

"The country produced a total of 45 775 tonnes of bananas. These are the latest figures for the year ending 2017. Manicaland produced the bulk of the national output with 81 percent coming from the region. Of this (provincial output) 39 percent (14 472 tonnes) was supplied by Matanuska (Holdings).

"The company also supplied the five percent destined for the export market. In fact, Matanuska is the only company that is producing export quality bananas in the country," CZI national vice president, Richard Chiwandire, who is also the finance director of Matanuska, said during an agricultural investment outline meeting.

Chiwandire said Matanuska wanted "to further expand our hectarage and tonnage in Manicaland as part of our expansion project".

While the banana boom is commendable, increasing production without expanding export markets will see the sector suffering from oversupply of the product locally.

Hence there has been a push to either increase export markets or add value to the product.

Bananas, which can be used to produce five products, namely flour, puree, chips, wine and juice, are only exported to two neighbouring countries.

But value addition to produce these products has encountered difficulties.

"Our experience with this is that given our small local market, it is going to take time to develop banana value added products that will compete favourably on the export market," said Chiwandire.

Matanuska turned down a deal with Polish-based company, Citronex Holdings, to expand its banana import market to Zimbabwe.

The Polish company had identified Zimbabwe, targeting to purchase bananas worth $50 million per annum.
- fingaz

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