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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
TEA producers in Chipinge, Chimanimani and Mutasa districts continue feeling the pinch of global travel restrictions that have resulted in a sharp decline in their exports.
According to agro company, Ariston Holding Limited’s trading update for December 2021, the decline in tea sales volumes was mainly due to a decrease in export tea volumes caused by subdued global economic activity as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The decline in tea sales volumes was mainly due to a decrease in export tea volumes caused by subdued global economic activity as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and global shortage of shipping containers. As a result, 83 percent were made to the local market,” reads part of the Ariston Holdings trading update statement.
The statement also outlined the value of the company’s irrigation facilities in view of the late rains.
Incessant power cuts have also led to a decline in production levels.
“Although the first quarter weather was cooler than the previous year, rains were less and received late, with most rains only being received at the tail end of December 2021.
“In Chipinge and Chimanimani where the majority of our operations are located, 172mm of rain had been received in the first quarter to December 31, compared to 532mm received in the prior comparative period.
“Operations in Chipinge and Chimanimani were relatively least affected by the changes in weather pattern. Irrigation was available, but was adversely affected by power cuts. Operations at Kent Estate were more affected as the dry land planting could only be completed in late December 2021. Crops under irrigation at Kent were unaffected by the late rains,” reads the statement.
Ariston Holdings is arguably the most diversified agro-industrial concern listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange.
Ariston business interests include the production of tea, macadamia nuts, bananas, apples, peaches, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, maize, soya beans, poultry and cattle.
The operations of the tea growing units are fully integrated with the Blended Tea Factory (BTF) for value addition for the crop.
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