Gold, tobacco lead in top exports

Oliver Kazunga-Senior Reporter

Zimbabwe recorded a trade surplus of US$46,7 million in September 2026, as semi-manufactured gold and tobacco dominated export earnings despite a drop in outbound shipments and rising imports.

South Africa remained Zimbabwe’s largest source of imports, supplying goods worth US$422,6 million.

China followed at US$246,4 million, with Bahrain at US$85 million, and Singapore at US$83,2 million. Combined, these four nations accounted for 64 per cent of all imports.

Within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Zimbabwe’s leading exports were tobacco, nickel mattes, iron and steel, and coal coke, representing a combined 57 percent of the US$158,1 million regional export value.

Major imports from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and AfCFTA blocs were dominated by machinery, fuels, fertilisers, and iron and steel articles.

The surplus narrowed by 91,1 percent from the US$526,2 million recorded in August, as exports fell by 19,3 percent to US$1,36 billion whilst imports increased by 13,5 percent to US$1,31 billion, according to the latest data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat).

“The resulting trade balance amounted to a surplus of US$46,7 million, a 91,1 percent decrease from the August 2026 surplus of US$526,2 million,” ZimStat stated.

Semi-manufactured gold remained the leading export, accounting for 47,6 percent of total earnings, followed by unspecified mineral substances at 21 percent, and stemmed or stripped tobacco at 9,1 percent.

Together, these categories comprised the bulk of the month’s US$1,36 billion export revenue. Industrial supplies dominated the overall export basket at 95,1 percent.

On the import side, mineral fuels and oils led at 26,7 percent of the US$1,31 billion total bill. Machinery and mechanical appliances accounted for 14,8 percent, vehicles for 7,3 percent, and electrical machinery for 5,5 percent.

“Industrial supplies comprised 31.7 per cent of goods imported in September 2026, followed by fuels and lubricants (26,5 percent) and capital goods at 20,4 percent,” the agency added.

The import figures reflect a sustained demand for machinery and agricultural inputs, particularly fertilisers, as productive sectors prepare for the summer cropping season.

Concurrently, the Government announced it has secured the maize seed and top-dressing fertiliser required for the upcoming Pfumvudza/Intwasa summer cropping season.

The agricultural preparations come as the country braces for a potentially severe El Niño weather pattern.

To date, approximately 45 percent of the required basal fertiliser for Pfumvudza farmers has been distributed, while sorghum seed availability stands at nearly 30 percent.

The Government is targeting three million small-scale farmers under the climate-proofing scheme, with each household expected to establish up to five plots to protect local food supplies.

Source: Gold, tobacco lead in top exports – herald

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