Zimbabwe is actively developing blueberry production and expects to create a $1 billion industry. Already, the country in southern Africa has become one of the exporters - in the 2022-2023 season, the volume of supplies reached 7,000 tons, according to The Herald newspaper, Report informs referring to TASS.
Zimbabwean experts pin hopes on blueberries for diversifying the economy, which is still largely focused on the exploitation of non-renewable resources - mining. The income of blueberry growers in Zimbabwe is still quite modest - $14-21 million per year, but within 10 years this figure can grow to $1 billion with proper attention and investment.
According to the International Blueberry Organization, consumption of the berry on the planet has been growing rapidly in recent years, and demand has increased accordingly.
World blueberry production in 2021 reached 1.79 million tons, with China, the US and Peru in the first positions - 468,220 tons, 328,180 tons and 261,730 tons, respectively. Moreover, the demand is so high that the US and China also import blueberries - 259,000 tons and 29,597 tons per year, respectively.