Figures from International Trade Centre show that Zimbabwe spent almost $10 million in vegetable imports in 2018. The findings are astonishing as in the same year and the one prior, the country banned imports on fruits and vegetables, a development attributed to preserving forex.

Figures show that out of the $9.8 million spent on the commodities, South Africa contributed the most imports, recorded at 79%. Malawi came second at 9%, Netherlands at 7%, Ethiopia 4% and 1% of imports came from other countries.

The ban in 2017 was also hailed as beneficial for local farmers, to profit from supplying the nation with the harvests. As in 2017, imports were listed at $14 million.