Tanganda invests in avocado oil extraction plant

 

Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter

TANGANDA Tea Company, a leading diversified agricultural firm, has established an avocado oil extraction plant to derive greater value from its avocado produce.

Previously, the company exported avocados in their raw form, but the new plant will enable it to process the fruit and reduce losses associated with spoilage.

Located at its Chipinge estate, the plant is the result of a partnership with Dutch company, Trade Link Global BV, and is already supplying avocado oil to several global markets.

The investment aligns with Government’s call for companies to add value to their produce and export processed goods, rather than raw materials, to maximise benefits for the country.

Tanganda’s plant is the second to be established in the province, following the setup of Navaco in Mutare, which sources avocados from farmers across the province.

Avocado oil is a premium product used in various sectors, including food, where it serves as a cooking oil or salad dressing.

It is also utilised in the cosmetics and pharmaceuticals sectors for skin care, hair care, and health supplements.

 

Additionally, avocado oil has industrial applications as a lubricant, biofuel, and organic product.

Presenting the half-year financials to March 2025, the group’s chairman, Mr Herbert Nkala said the plant commenced operations in May 2025.

“The harvest and export of avocados began after the reporting period. The company entered into joint venture with Trade Link Global BV of Netherlands in establishing an avocado oil extraction plant at Tingamira Estate. The oil extraction plant, commenced operations in May 2025, and oil exports to already established markets are underway,” said Mr Nkala.

Mr Nkala said tea production is expected to rise in the second quarter due to better rainfall received during the 2024/25 rainy season.

He said 286 tonnes of macadamia nuts, whose shipment was delayed last year, were finally exported and prices on the global market are firming up.

“Bulk tea production of 4 736 tonnes was six percent below prior year of 5 028 tonnes. The late onset and inconsistent pattern of the rains and severe heat affected tea production and quality mainly in the first quarter of the financial year. However, tea production improved in the second quarter with better rainfall received from January 2025.

“The improvement in production in the second quarter will in turn increase bulk tea exports whose volume of 2 174 tonnes were 28 percent lower than 3 005 tonnes achieved in prior year. The average export selling price was US$1,29 per kg, four percent lower than US$1,35 per kg achieved in prior year, due to oversupply and stock build-up by Kenya.

“The macadamia nuts harvest commenced in earnest at the end of reporting period. A consignment of 286 tonnes of macadamia nuts, whose export was delayed in the previous year due to global logistics issues, was shipped in the first quarter of the year. Indicatively, based on exports after the reporting period, global macadamia nuts are firming up,” he said.

Mr Nkala further revealed that Tanganda is reviving coffee production, which has been on the decline with an investment of 60 new hectares in a joint venture which will push production volumes up.

“Natural decline in yields from aging bearer coffee, scheduled uprooting of coffee plants after their useful life and unfavourable weather patterns resulted in reduced production volumes. In turn, coffee exports declined to 13 tonnes from 58 tonnes achieved in the previous year. Coffee volumes are expected to improve as the 60 hectares of coffee established under a joint venture at a third party farm start to mature,” said Mr Nkala.