Online Reporter
Business Reporter
NATIONAL Foods (NatFoods) says the recent commissioning of pasta, biscuits and cereals manufacturing plants represents a significant step in the company’s drive to add value to its milled products made from locally grown maize, wheat and soya beans.
Zimbabwe’s largest food manufacturer commissioned the plants in May, enabling the company to move up the value chain across its range of basic food products.
The three new plants were established at a combined capital investment of US$22,7 million and herald a new chapter for National Foods.
From a national perspective, the investments in these critical lines of production is essential for import substitution.
According to statistics, Zimbabwe currently imports pasta worth around US$40 million per year. The country can now produce the product locally.
After establishing the plant, National Foods now produces about 1 200 tonnes of pasta per month, against a demand of around 3 500 tonnes.
There is also an influx of biscuits, mainly from South Africa and Zambia.
NatFoods has since invested in local capacity to curb imports after the commissioning of its biscuit line.
According to NatFoods, local demand for biscuits, pasta and cereals continues to grow robustly and will likely increase in the future.
leeroy