GMB eyes 3 more milling plants

Kudakwashe Pembere Business Reporter
The Grain Marketing Board intends to set up three maize milling plants in Manicaland, Masvingo and Midlands provinces next year to boost capacity, an official said. In an interview, GMB commercial director Mr Parirenyatwa Mano said about US$1,5 million would be invested in the plants that will have a combined capacity 12 000 tonnes per month.

The investment is part of the ongoing efforts by GMB to commercialize its operations.

“Our overall aim is to have milling plants in every province,” said Mr Mano. At the moment we have two in Harare and Bulawayo but we want to set up three more in Gweru, Manicaland and Masvingo.

‘‘The plans are already there, we have already budgeted for it.”

The company’s milling and outsourced capacity was 7 500 tonnes for the period ended March 2013.

In that period, GMB recorded a profit of US$878 819 up from US$24 997 achieved a year in the same period last year.

Revenue was up 125 percent from US$34,5 million to US$77,8 million on the back of the introduction of commercial products to the product portfolio which include Silo Mixed Fruit Jam, Silo Delight Soya Chunks.