Zimbabwe’s aquaculture sector surges as fish farmers multiply

ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe’s government is expanding the aquaculture sector through the distribution of more than 400,000 fingerlings via pilot hubs in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces, aiming to increase fish farmers from around 700 to over 8,000 while boosting livelihoods, food security, and economic growth.

The developments were revealed during the Aquaculture Frame Survey Validation Workshop for Mashonaland Provinces held in Harare on Wednesday. 

The workshop brought together government officials, development partners, private sector stakeholders, and farmers to review findings from the country’s first comprehensive aquaculture survey.

Director for Livestock and Fisheries Production in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mr Milton Makumbe, highlighted the significance of the data. 

“When we began this process in 2024, one of the greatest challenges we faced was the absence of baseline data for aquaculture,” he said. 

“Together, these efforts have given us, for the first time, a comprehensive national dataset on aquaculture. This is a landmark achievement which allows us to see clearly where interventions are needed, where opportunities lie, and how best to support farmers and stakeholders across the value chain.”

Mr Makumbe said the survey findings were already guiding interventions to strengthen production systems, improve market access, and build farmers’ technical capacity. 

He added, “With this data, we can now design evidence-based policies, strengthen institutional roles, and build a full value chain approach that ensures aquaculture contributes meaningfully to food security, livelihoods, and economic growth in Zimbabwe.”

Fish4ACP project coordinator Mr Paul Mwera explained that the sector’s growth is the result of coordinated government and development partner initiatives. 

“The value chain analysis done in 2022 estimated around 700 farmers in Zimbabwe. Today, we have more than 8,000. That transformation did not happen spontaneously; it came because of deliberate efforts on the ground,” he said.

Market Outlook and Investment

Zimbabwe’s aquaculture industry is positioned for strong growth in both production and economic impact. 

Government targets aim to expand fish production dramatically, with plans to increase annual output to around 60,000 metric tonnes by 2026, nearly doubling recent levels of roughly 31,000 tonnes, a 25 % rise over three years through expanded farming and support programmes. 

This trajectory is part of an ambitious vision to build a US $1 billion fisheries and aquaculture economy, signalling strong long‑term growth potential.

To support scaling, the government has invested in key infrastructure, including a major hatchery near Bulawayo capable of producing millions of fry annually, improving access to quality fingerlings, a historical bottleneck for farmers. 

Complementing production efforts, a national Farmed Tilapia Market Strategy is being developed to create reliable pathways from producers to consumers and traders, enhancing competitiveness and attracting investment.

The private sector is also stepping in, particularly in the aquaculture feed market, where partnerships between local distributors and international suppliers are expected to ease feed shortages, reduce costs, and shorten production cycles. 

These initiatives, alongside training programs and technical support, are helping farmers increase productivity and profitability.

Despite progress, aquaculture currently supplies only about 16 % of national fish demand, highlighting opportunities for further expansion. 

Continued sector growth will depend on scaling production, improving efficiency, strengthening market access, and leveraging government and private investment to transform Zimbabwe’s aquaculture industry into a more structured, commercially viable sector.

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