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Business Reporter
SOUTH Africa remains the country’s major trading partner with June exports slightly improving to 40,9 percent compared to 40,8 percent in May, official data show.

However, imports from South Africa were 43,3 percent in June from 42,8 percent in May, the latest Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) data shows.

The value of total exports in June was US$666,6 million, an increase of 29,9 percent from total export earnings of US$513,1 million in May.

Imports increased by 4,9 percent to US$750,5 million in June up from US$715,7 million in May.

Zimstat indicated in its external trade statistics monthly summary for June that exports to the United Arab Emirates dropped to 22,9 percent in June from 32,4 percent in May.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

“South Africa remained Zimbabwe’s major trading partner. In June 2022, exports to South Africa were 40,9 percent, compared to 40,8 percent in May 2022.

“Exports to the United Arab Emirates constituted 22,9 percent in June 2022, compared to 32,4 percent in May 2022. The value of exports to China decreased to 5,4 percent in June 2022, from 13,2 percent in May 2022.

Exports to Mozambique constituted 20,9 percent in June 2022, being an increase from 2,5 percent in May 2022.”

The value of imports from Singapore increased to 14,7 percent in June from 13.8 percent in May.

The agency also noted that the main exports were semi manufactured gold, at 22,8 percent, nickel mattes including platinum group of minerals (20 percent), mineral substances (19 percent), nickel ores and concentrates (16 percent) and tobacco at 4,7 percent.

In the same month, the country exported semi manufactured gold valued at US$152,2 million, signifying a decline from US$165,9 million in May.

Guided by the National Development Strategy (NDS1:2021-2025), Zimbabwe is set to increase the drive towards value addition and beneficiation.

National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1)

The strategy is expected to scale up import substitution and enhance production of more value-added exports into the region and beyond.

However, 1,295.0 tonnes of nickel mattes valued at US$133,6 million were exported compared to 575,0 tonnes valued at US$82,6 million in May.

Zimbabwe’s major imports, according to Zimstat were mineral fuels and mineral oil products which stood at 20,1 percent up from 19,2 percent in May.

Machinery and mechanical appliances accounted for at 16,2 percent, animal/vegetable fats and oils (8,4 percent), vehicles (8,1 percent) electrical machinery and equipment (4,3 percent), plastics (4,0 percent), cereals mostly rice (4,2 percent), fertilisers (2,9 percent) and pharmaceuticals (1,7 percent).

Rice, which makes the bulk of cereal imports constituted 1,6 percent compared to 1,4 percent in May.