Zimbabwe is looking to turn growing demand for blueberries in China into a new source of agricultural export earnings. The country shipped its first blueberries to China in July, following a phytosanitary agreement and China’s removal of tariffs on imports from 53 African countries.

However, farmers say access to affordable, long-term finance remains a major obstacle to expanding production.

Our Economics Reporter, Innocent Semosa, looks at whether Zimbabwe can turn this new market opportunity into broader agricultural growth.

Zimbabwe is looking to turn growing demand for blueberries in China into a new source of agricultural export earnings. The country shipped its first blueberries to China in July, following a phytosanitary agreement and China&rsquo;s removal of tariffs on imports from 53 African countries.
However, farmers say access to affordable, long-term finance remains a major obstacle to expanding production.
Our Economics Reporter, Innocent Semosa, looks at whether Zimbabwe can turn this new market opportunity into broader agricultural growth.

In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks & market updates.

In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks &amp; market updates.

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Africa in Business

Zimbabwe eyes China blueberry market to boost exports despite financing challenges for farmers

Economists in Zambia have reacted positively at news that JPMorgan is set to launch its long-awaited "frontier" market local-currency government ​bond index by the end of September which will give investors a new benchmark for nearly $330 billion of debt across some of the ‌world's fastest-growing economies.

 Africa is said will receive almost 45% of the benchmark's total weighting. Egypt, Morocco and Nigeria are expected to be among the countries with the largest allocations while Angola and Zambia have also qualified, while other African participants are expected to include Kenya and Namibia.

For a perspective on this, Thambi Ngubeni spoke to Kelvin Chisanga, an economist based in Zambia.

Economists in Zambia have reacted positively at news that JPMorgan is set to launch its long-awaited "frontier" market local-currency government ​bond index by the end of September which will give investors a new benchmark for nearly $330 billion of debt across some of the &zwnj;world's fastest-growing economies.
&nbsp;Africa is said will receive almost 45% of the benchmark's total weighting. Egypt, Morocco and Nigeria are expected to be among the countries with the largest allocations while Angola and Zambia have also qualified, while other African participants are expected to include Kenya and Namibia.
For a perspective on this, Thambi Ngubeni spoke to Kelvin Chisanga, an economist based in Zambia.

Zambian economists hail inclusion in JPMorgan frontier bond index

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has decided to increase the repo rate by 25 basis points to7.25 % meaning the prime lending rate will increase to 10.75%.

This follows a meeting of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee. Increasing oil prices are the main driver behind the increasing inflation rate amid continued hostilities in the Middle East and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

The inflation rate is expected to increase to above 5% later this year or early next year. For a perspective on what this could mean for consumers who already stretched to the limit, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Harry Scherzer - CEO at Future Forex.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has decided to increase the repo rate by 25 basis points to7.25 % meaning the prime lending rate will increase to 10.75%.
This follows a meeting of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee. Increasing oil prices are the main driver behind the increasing inflation rate amid continued hostilities in the Middle East and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;
The inflation rate is expected to increase to above 5% later this year or early next year. For a perspective on what this could mean for consumers who already stretched to the limit, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Harry Scherzer - CEO at Future Forex.

SARB increases the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.25%

Affordability is driving a structural shift in South Africa's vehicle market, with SUVs gaining significant ground as consumers increasingly seek competitively priced, well-equipped vehicles.

An analysis of 2.56 million new and used vehicle finance applications processed by Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance between January 2023 and June 2026 shows that SUVs increased their share of the combined SUV, bakkie and body-on-frame SUV market from 60.2% in the second quarter of 2023 to 67.6% in the second quarter of 2026. SUV applications grew 38% between 2023 and 2025, while bakkie and body-on-frame SUV volumes remained relatively stable.

 To give a perspective on what this means, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Henry Botha, Head: Strategy and Business Analytics at Absa Vehicle Finance.

Affordability is driving a structural shift in South Africa's vehicle market, with SUVs gaining significant ground as consumers increasingly seek competitively priced, well-equipped vehicles.
An analysis of 2.56 million new and used vehicle finance applications processed by Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance between January 2023 and June 2026 shows that SUVs increased their share of the combined SUV, bakkie and body-on-frame SUV market from 60.2% in the second quarter of 2023 to 67.6% in the second quarter of 2026. SUV applications grew 38% between 2023 and 2025, while bakkie and body-on-frame SUV volumes remained relatively stable.
&nbsp;To give a perspective on what this means, Thami Ngubeni spoke to Henry Botha, Head: Strategy and Business Analytics at Absa Vehicle Finance.

Zimbabwe eyes China blueberry market to boost exports despite financing challenges for farmers

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