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Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
BAKERIES in the country are positioning themselves for brisk business in the coming festive season with a target to increase production to 1,6 million loaves per day from one million.
National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) president Givemore Mesoemvura told Business Chronicle players in his sector were ready to meet increased demand associated with the Christmas and New Year festive holidays.
“We’re nearing the festive season which is the time of the year where sales and demand for bread increases. Bakeries have begun gathering the necessary funds in preparation for this busy time,” he said.
“So far we’re producing one million loaves per day and we intend to increase to 1,6 million loaves by December 15.”
Mesoemvura said the sector had the capacity to meet demand saying the sector had enough supplies of raw materials.
“We received a guarantee from the Grain Millers Association that stocks are available and sufficient to meet demand during the festive season,” he said.
He, however, said the confectionary industry was still failing to secure funds to recapitalise its operations.
“The baking sector is still struggling to get financial assistance to improve some of our machinery which is now old. However, we’re surviving,” he said.
Mesoemvura said there was a need for the baking sector to be technologically advanced to enhance competitiveness.
Due to economic challenges more than 80 companies have since closed shop in the past four years.
A manufacturing sector survey report released by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries(CZI) recently indicated that capacity utilisation in local industries dropped to 36,3 percent from 39, 6 percent in 2013 due to prevailing economic difficulties.
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