The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with Zimbabwe and Mozambique, is spearheading efforts to formalise cross-border agritrade in Southern Africa, targeting sesame, macadamia and tomato value chains to unlock export markets, reduce informality and attract investment.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the governments of Zimbabwe and Mozambique and with financial backing from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), convened a high-level policy dialogue during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair 2026 (ZITF). The dialogue aimed to accelerate the shift of sesame, macadamia, and tomato value chains from informal trading systems to structured, export-oriented agro-industrial sectors.
Held on the sidelines of ZITF—an established platform for investment, policy discussions, and deal-making—the event directly supported the objectives of the Zimbabwe–Mozambique Agriculture Value Chain and Trade Development Project (Zim–Moza ATDP). This initiative focuses on strengthening agricultural value chains and improving trade facilitation between the two countries, particularly in macadamia, sesame, and tomato production.
Funded with €3.5 million from the Italian government through AICS and implemented over three years, the project seeks to transform agrifood systems, integrate smallholder farmers into global markets, and promote sustainable economic growth. Central to its mission is the formalization of trade, reduction of non-tariff barriers, and increased private sector investment in aggregation, processing, and logistics.
ZITF 2026, held under the theme “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries,” underscores the importance of regional integration and trade connectivity—key priorities for the Zim–Moza ATDP, particularly along the Beira Corridor and across wider regional markets.
Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, emphasized the importance of the platform, noting that ZITF brings together critical stakeholders—from farmers and regulators to financiers and logistics providers—creating opportunities to transition from fragmented informal trade to structured, traceable value chains that enhance quality, unlock export markets, and attract investment.
The Zim–Moza ATDP is one of two cross-border initiatives jointly launched by Zimbabwe and Mozambique with support from AICS and technical coordination by FAO. Alongside the Transboundary Integrated Sustainable Management of Miombo Woodlands Project, it reflects a broader strategy linking environmental sustainability with inclusive economic growth.
The project specifically targets major constraints affecting cross-border agricultural trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. These include informality, weak market linkages, limited capacity to meet sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, high transaction costs, and gaps in aggregation and post-harvest systems.
Maria Cabral, Mozambique’s National Project Coordinator, highlighted the importance of structured trade systems, noting that organized processes—such as farmer aggregation, reliable quality verification, and predictable compliance—can transform sesame into a significant export commodity rather than one confined to informal markets. She stressed that formalization is not merely administrative, but essential for securing stable markets, fair pricing, and access to finance.
The policy dialogue was designed to move beyond discussion toward practical implementation. It combined high-level insights with real-world experiences, including contributions from farmers to highlight on-the-ground challenges. A moderated panel session further explored key bottlenecks, including SPS and technical barriers to trade, quality standards, financing constraints, and the need for structured markets.
Gift Mugano of Africa Economic Development Strategies emphasized that export competitiveness depends on robust systems—such as traceability, enforceable standards, and efficient logistics—because markets reward what they can reliably verify.
Panelists agreed that transforming these value chains requires formalization, transparency, and enforceable market rules. Recommendations included registering farmers and buyers, strengthening contract enforcement mechanisms, improving dispute resolution systems, and developing structured market platforms to enhance price transparency and reduce side-selling.
Speakers also stressed that compliance with standards and grading systems should be viewed as an investment rather than a cost, as it opens access to higher-value export markets.
Another major focus was reducing value loss across the supply chain. Challenges such as low productivity, post-harvest losses, and weak logistics systems were identified as critical barriers. For perishable products like tomatoes, inadequate cold chain infrastructure and poor handling practices contribute to spoilage and market losses. Panelists highlighted the need for investment in aggregation centres, cold storage, and coordinated logistics systems.
Finally, discussions underscored the importance of enabling finance and partnerships. Blended finance models, risk mitigation mechanisms, and stronger engagement with buyers and processors were identified as key to scaling value addition and stabilizing cross-border trade flows.
FAO and its partners will follow up on the dialogue with targeted actions, including technical support for formalizing sesame trade, strengthening SPS and quality compliance systems, and facilitating investment in aggregation, processing, and logistics. The Zim–Moza ATDP will continue to provide a platform for public-private collaboration to translate policy commitments into tangible improvements across targeted agricultural value chains.