Zimbabwe: what does Turkey export there?

In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $5.3 million. The ten largest product groups made up 66.7% of that total, led by Mill Machinery; Tractors; Iron Structures.

Zimbabwe: who are its main trading partners?

The three largest import partners are S. Africa, China, India. The three largest export partners are China, S. Africa, United Kingdom.

Zimbabwe: what does the country import?

The three largest import products are Broadcasting Equipment; Medicaments; Trucks. The three largest export products are Raw Tobacco; Diamonds; Ferroalloys.

Zimbabwe: how big is the economy?

Population 16 million, GDP $18 billion, and $1,080 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.535.

Zimbabwe: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?

The trade balance is -$1.29B in net imports.

Zimbabwe: how do goods from Turkey reach it?

Zimbabwe is landlocked. Goods from Turkey usually arrive through Beira, Durban and continue by road or rail under transit procedures.

Zimbabwe: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?

Regulated products need a certificate under the Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) programme, verified in the exporting country before shipment; non-compliant consignments face a penalty at the border.

Zimbabwe: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?

Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Country Profiles

Zimbabwe

The Republic of Zimbabwe is located in South Africa and it is bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. The population of Zimbabwe is 16 million and its GDP is $18 Billion.

Zimbabwe gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965 and the current constitution is effective since 2013. English is the official language. Its capital city is Harare with a population of around 1.5 million people. Zimbabwe experienced hyperinflation in the 1990s and it does not have its own currency. Instead, they are using United States Dollar, South African Rand and other major currencies.

Zimbabwe’s largest trade partners are China and South Africa. Zimbabwe exports 44% of its products to China. On the other hand, 62% of its imports is from South Africa. Tobacco farming is an important driver of Zimbabwe’s economy. There are also precious metal resources such as diamonds and other mineral mines, such as chromium.

Turkey and Zimbabwe signed a memornadum of understanding in 2017 to deepen trade and investment relations. Turkey aims to improve its commercial relations with Africa and increase the share of Turkish companies on the African continent. The number of Turkish business councils with African countries has reached 41 by 2017. Zimbabwe is also one of the target countries for Turkish exporting companies.

Below, you can see the fact sheet, macroeconomic outlook and trade relations of Zimbabwe with Turkey.

Four charts for Zimbabwe. Population rises from about 12.3 million in 2000 to 16.5 million in 2017. GDP grows from about US$6.7 billion to US$22 billion. Total imports overtake exports after 2009, peaking near US$7 billion in 2012. Trade with Turkey is small, under about US$26 million in either direction across the period.

Turkey's exports to Zimbabwe in 2008 and 2017: a pie chart splitting the ten largest product groups from all others, the total value of exports, and a table naming those ten products with each one's share. The same figures are listed as a table further down this page.

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Country at a glance

Capital city: Harare
Official language: English
Population: 16 million
GDP: $18 billion
GDP per capita: $1,080
Human Development Index: 0.535

Top 3 import partners: S. Africa, China, India
Top 3 export partners: China, S. Africa, United Kingdom
Top 3 import products: Broadcasting Equipment, Medicaments, Trucks
Top 3 export products: Raw Tobacco, Diamonds, Ferroalloys
Trade balance: -$1.29B in net imports

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report (2019). Figures as published, reflecting data to 2017.

Zimbabwe: practical trade guide

What a shipment between Turkey and this market needs, how the goods get there, and what to settle before you sign.

Gateway ports (landlocked): Beira, Durban
Currency: Zimbabwe Gold (US dollars widely used) (ZiG)
Trade blocs: AfCFTA, SADC, COMESA
Trade agreement with Turkey: None in force: standard duties generally apply

Specific to Zimbabwe

Regulated products need a certificate under the Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) programme, verified in the exporting country before shipment; non-compliant consignments face a penalty at the border.

Standard documents

Commercial invoice and packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Certificate of origin issued by a Turkish chamber of commerce
Insurance certificate when the Incoterm includes insurance (CIF, CIP)

Before you sign

Check the counterparty: registration, activity and references
Match the payment structure to the risk: advance or partial payment, documentary collection or a letter of credit
Confirm whether your product needs a certificate or registration in this market before production starts

Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change: confirm the current rules for your product with your forwarder, the buyer's customs broker or us before shipping.

Turkey's exports to this market

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report. Figures as published.

2008

$0.4 million

Top 10 products account for 89.8% of the total.

2008
Product	Share of total
Tractors	37%
Light Pure Woven Cotton	17.9%
Rubber Tires	6.8%
Heavy Pure Woven Cotton	6.7%
Non-Knit Women's Suits	5.6%
Raw Plastic Sheeting	5%
Other Plastic Sheetings	3.1%
Terry Fabric	2.7%
Interior Decorative Glassware	2.6%
Photographic Film	2.5%

2017

$5.3 million

Top 10 products account for 66.7% of the total.

2017
Product	Share of total
Mill Machinery	17.9%
Tractors	9.4%
Iron Structures	8.8%
Stone Processing Machines	6.4%
Chocolate	5.9%
Plastic Lids	5.5%
Wheat Flours	3.9%
Non-Retail Synthetic Filament Yarn	3.3%
Iron Gas Containers	3.2%
Pesticides	2.5%

Frequently asked questions

Zimbabwe: what does Turkey export there?: In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $5.3 million. The ten largest product groups made up 66.7% of that total, led by Mill Machinery; Tractors; Iron Structures.
Zimbabwe: who are its main trading partners?: The three largest import partners are S. Africa, China, India. The three largest export partners are China, S. Africa, United Kingdom.
Zimbabwe: what does the country import?: The three largest import products are Broadcasting Equipment; Medicaments; Trucks. The three largest export products are Raw Tobacco; Diamonds; Ferroalloys.
Zimbabwe: how big is the economy?: Population 16 million, GDP $18 billion, and $1,080 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.535.
Zimbabwe: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?: The trade balance is -$1.29B in net imports.
Zimbabwe: how do goods from Turkey reach it?: Zimbabwe is landlocked. Goods from Turkey usually arrive through Beira, Durban and continue by road or rail under transit procedures.
Zimbabwe: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?: Regulated products need a certificate under the Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) programme, verified in the exporting country before shipment; non-compliant consignments face a penalty at the border.
Zimbabwe: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?: Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Other country profiles

Reviewed by Burak Unal, Director of African Markets