Government of Zimbabwe has moved to de-risk the aquaculture value chain, today (24-03-26) launching a phased 2026–2030 market strategy that prioritizes value addition, traceability, and the rollout of standardized packaging for local tilapia.
The US$5.03 million Zimbabwe Tilapia Value Chain Market Strategy (2026–2030), developed by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) under the FISH4ACP programme, aims to eliminate the country’s 24,485 metric tonne fish supply deficit and position farmed tilapia as a premier local protein.
Speaking at the launch in Harare today, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Hon. Davis Marapira, noted that while national demand sits at 60,000 MT, local production currently lags at approximately 35,151MT. This gap has historically been filled by imports, often retailing cheaper than local products due to high production cost, a narrative this new strategy seeks to change. “Aquaculture is no longer viewed as a peripheral activity; it is now recognized as a critical pillar for rural industrialization and employment creation, especially for our youth and women,” Hon. Marapira stated. “The Government has put in place a supportive policy environment, as evidenced by the recent Cabinet-approved reduction in fees and the scraping of 15% VAT on fish products to ensure our local farmers can compete effectively on both the local and regional markets.”
The Deputy Minister also highlighted a significant institutional shift to reinforce this growth, noting the transition of the fisheries department to a broader mandate. “The Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Production Department has now been restructured into the Livestock and Fisheries Production Department (LFPD), (Fisheries&Aquaculture Division- Livestock & Fisheries Production Dept, Zim), with an expanded mandate that goes beyond aquaculture to also encompass livestock production,” Hon. Marapira revealed. “Just as we are modernizing aquaculture and tilapia farming, we want to see the same transformation in beef and small stock. By strengthening value chains and building competitive markets, this department will ensure that our livestock sector also flourishes.”
The strategy introduces a phased rollout focusing on infrastructure, specifically establishing aggregation hubs and cold-chain logistics, including the Mutare Cold Room Unit (MCRU). It further prioritizes standardization through the implementation of Minimum Viable Packaging Standards (MVPS) and traceability to ensure food safety, while driving value addition by transitioning from selling raw whole fish to processed fillets, smoked products, and ready-to-cook meals.
The initiative is a collaborative milestone, funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with technical leadership from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). FAO Deputy Representative, Louis Muhigirwa, emphasized that the strategy is more than a document; it is an “accelerator” for inclusive growth, particularly for women and youth who lead many of the country’s fingerling production hubs.
AMA Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Alice Mapfiza, highlighted that the strategy serves as a practical roadmap for organizing and upgrading the tilapia market system. “Informed by market studies and stakeholder consultations, this strategy addresses major constraints across the value chain, including limited access to quality fingerlings and feed, inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, and weak coordination,”
Ms. Mapfiza said. “As the mandated regulatory body, AMA is committed to coordinating all stakeholders to ensure we achieve measurable outcomes and build a competitive, climate-resilient tilapia industry.” As the sector eyes a US$1 billion valuation by 2030, the strategy aligns closely with the National Development Strategy (NDS2). By streamlining regulatory requirements and implementing aggressive market reforms, the Government has signaled its transformative and proactive approach to supporting the 8,101 active fish farmers across the country.
In closing, the Director of the Livestock and Fisheries Production Department (LFPD), Mr. Milton Tinashe Makumbe, called for “disciplined execution” and urged the private sector and financial institutions to mobilize resources for the priority investments outlined in the plan. “This strategy is the continuation of a vision that began with visiting farmers and launching our first fish ponds; we are now moving beyond just production to secure the marketplace,” Mr. Makumbe noted. “We must now turn this blueprint into tangible action. I urge our financial partners and the private sector to join us in building a resilient industry that ensures no fish farmer is left behind in our journey toward standardization and market integration.”
Source : Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development
