Zimbabwe’s export competitiveness in the apiculture sector has received a significant boost following the commissioning of a state-of-the-art honey testing laboratory designed to enhance quality assurance, value addition and access to premium international markets.
ZimTrade, in partnership with Expertise France under the ZimBee Project, jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, officially handed over the laboratory to the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services under the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development. The project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD).
In a statement yesterday, ZimTrade said the development marks a major milestone in strengthening Zimbabwe’s export infrastructure and improving compliance with global market standards.
“Today, ZimTrade and Expertise France, co-managers of the ZimBee Project, proudly joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in handing over a state-of-the-art honey laboratory to the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services,” ZimTrade said.
The organisation said the laboratory will play a critical role in ensuring that Zimbabwean honey meets stringent international quality requirements through advanced scientific testing.
“The laboratory will enhance Zimbabwe’s capacity for honey profile testing, enabling us to scientifically verify the quality, authenticity and safety of our honey.
This strengthens compliance with international market requirements, builds buyer confidence and positions Zimbabwe to access premium export markets,” ZimTrade added.
ZimTrade emphasised that the facility represents more than just physical infrastructure, describing it as a strategic tool for economic transformation within the agricultural export sector.
“This laboratory goes beyond infrastructure. It advances our national export agenda by driving value addition, supporting rural industrialisation, empowering smallholder beekeepers and accelerating the commercialisation of enterprises,” the organisation said.
The trade development body added that the project demonstrates the importance of international partnerships in strengthening Zimbabwe’s export base and expanding opportunities for local producers.
“It also reflects the impact of strategic partnerships in strengthening Zimbabwe’s export competitiveness and creating new opportunities for the country’s apiculture sector,” ZimTrade said.
The commissioning of the laboratory comes as Zimbabwe continues to prioritise value addition and export-led growth under its national economic development strategy, with particular emphasis on empowering rural communities and integrating smallholder farmers into global value chains.
The ZimBee Project is part of efforts to modernise Zimbabwe’s agricultural exports and enhance competitiveness in niche global markets through targeted investment in infrastructure, skills development and international cooperation.
