An Analysis of the Impact of Chinese Competition on Zimbabwe’s Manufacturing Exports in Third Markets

Abstract

This study analyses the impact of Chinese competition on Zimbabwe’s manufacturing exports in thirds markets using the Index of Competitive Threat (ICT) and the Constant Market Share (CMS) analysis. The ICT results reveals that competitive threat from China has increased between 2001 and in most of Zimbabwe’s major African export markets. The CMS analysis findings reveals that Zimbabwe lost market share to China in export markets that include South Africa, Zambia, UAE and Mozambique. Zimbabwe marginally gained market share from China in Belgium, France and Malawi. The products greatly affected are mainly from the labour intensive sectors such as mining, agriculture, clothing and textiles and light manufacturing sectors. The study recommends that Zimbabwe move up the ladder in terms of export structure and upgrading its industry through value addition to enable its exports to compete at the highest level of that ladder. It should embark on qualitative upgrading of its exports as a way of offsetting at least part of the competitive pressure coming from China.