The HDC partnered with the Ministry of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Manicaland to host the Manicaland Coffee Revival Conference. This gathering brought together farmers, processors, exporters, government, investors, researchers, and development partners to chart a new future for one of Zimbabwe’s most celebrated export crops.
At its peak, Zimbabwe produced 15,000 tonnes of coffee annually, supporting more than 20,000 jobs and contributing over 2% to GDP. Thoughproduction declined sharply in the 2000s, recovery is now underway. Output has nearly doubled since 2017. Zimbabwean Arabica still commands premium prices worldwide.
The conference was put together to:
- Review the state of the industry
- Share innovations in sustainable coffee production
- Explore opportunities for value addition
- Define a roadmap to expand production from under 700 hectares to 5,000 hectares by 2050.
With the right investment and policy support, coffee can transform rural livelihoods, boost exports, and strengthen the economy of Manicaland and Zimbabwe as a whole.
