Paprika is a major export cash crop in Zimbabwe, particularly from Mashonaland regions. The dried and ground product is exported to Europe and Asia, commanding premium prices.
120
Days to Maturity
2–5 tonnes/ha (dry)
Typical Yield
Moderate
Water Need
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Optimal Soil Types
pH Range: 5.5 – 7
Well-drained, fertile sandy loam preferred. Avoid waterlogged soils which promote root rot. Good organic matter content is essential.
Fertilizer: 2 Nutrich poop tea 14 Nutrich vermicompost 7 Compound D 5 Nutrich vermifoliar
Optimal Temp: 20–30°C
Rainfall: 400–800mm/year
Climate Zones
Drip irrigation preferred. Apply 25–35mm per week. Reduce irrigation during ripening to intensify colour (ASTA units) and aid field drying.
19°C
overcast clouds
Mashonaland Central
27%
Humidity
11
km/h Wind
19–19°C
Min / Max Today
5-Day Forecast
Fri
20°
20°
Sat
32°
14°
Sun
34°
14°
Mon
35°
16°
Tue
35°
17°
Paprika optimal climate: Temp: 20–30°C°C · Rainfall: 400–800mm/yr
Planting Months
Harvesting Months
Planting Depth: Transplanted seedlings (5–6 week nursery)
Spacing: 90cm × 45cm
Material: Seedlings from nursery
Provinces
Natural Regions
Symptoms: Leaf curl, honeydew, PVY/CMV virus vector
Management: Imidacloprid drench; reflective mulch; systemic insecticides
Symptoms: Silvery scarring on leaves and fruit, TSWV virus vector
Management: Spinosad spray; blue sticky traps; neem oil
Symptoms: Premature fruit drop, maggots inside fruit
Management: Protein bait traps; malathion cover sprays
Symptoms: Sunken dark lesions on ripe fruit, spore masses
Management: Copper or mancozeb spray; avoid wetting fruit; resistant varieties
Symptoms: Sudden wilting, brown roots, plant death
Management: Improve drainage; Ridomil drench; crop rotation
Symptoms: Mosaic mottling, stunted fruit, colour distortion
Management: Use virus-free seed; control aphids; remove infected plants
Governed Product Guidance
Crop-specific product selection, application rates, mixing, timing and treatment guidance for Paprika are available only through ZEF's governed production-agronomy workflow after country readiness and product/regulatory approval.
Dried paprika export to EU and Asia (oleoresin and powder), local spice market, colourant industry
Export Potential:
Cultivation Guide
Step-by-step guide tailored to Paprika in Zimbabwe
Related Crops
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Carica papaya
Mango
Mangifera indica
Chili Pepper
Capsicum frutescens / annuum
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