Online Reporter
Judith Phiri
Zimpapers Business Hub
LEADING stock feed manufacturer Profeeds is set to inject an additional US$1 million into its US$11 million state-of-the-art Bulawayo plant, further consolidating its role in Zimbabwe’s agro-processing sector and complementing the Second Republic’s drive to re-industrialise Bulawayo and the entire Matabeleland region.
The plant, which is equipped with cutting-edge automation and advanced production technology, has been widely commended by the Government for its efficiency, impact on local economic growth and ability to reduce production and distribution costs in the southern region of the country.
Profeeds’ finance director, Mr Rumbidzo Ndewere, confirmed the new investment during a tour of the plant by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nqobizitha Ndlovu, yesterday.
“Three years ago, we acquired this property and committed to establishing a manufacturing plant here in Bulawayo. To date, we’ve invested US$11 million and by the end of October, we will invest an additional US$1 million to expand our distribution warehousing capacity,” he said.
The plant currently employs 150 workers and operates on a 24-hour basis across three shifts, producing between 6 500-6 700 tonnes of stock feed per month. Its full capacity stands at 7 500 tonnes and at the moment it is operating at 90 percent capacity.
“This is a highly efficient plant and our cost of production has dropped by merely 40 percent. Our distribution costs within the Matabeleland region have also come down significantly because the route to market distance has reduced,” said Mr Ndewere.
He said previously, stock feed was distributed to Matabeleland and central Zimbabwe from the company’s Harare operations. The shift to local production has shortened delivery routes, improved supply chain responsiveness and stimulated economic activity in the region.
Profeeds produces a wide range of feed for poultry (broilers, layers, ducks and free-range birds), cattle, pigs, goats, rabbits, horses, fish and even dogs. Its retail stores also provide farmers with complementary products and services.
“This investment is not just about profitability, it’s a strategic investment in Matabeleland, which has attracted more suppliers, increased competition in the stock feed market and created business partnerships, including with two new hatcheries,” said Mr Ndewere.
Minister Ndlovu described the Profeeds Bulawayo plant as a model investment that aligns with the Second Republic’s industrialisation agenda and President Mnangagwa’s vision for agriculture-led economic growth.
He said Zimbabwe has witnessed remarkable retooling and adoption of modern technologies across manufacturing, with companies such as Profeeds at the forefront.
“Under the Second Republic, we are witnessing industrialisation and re-industrialisation of Zimbabwe taking place, including remarkable investment that has gone into retooling and bringing the latest technologies right across the manufacturing sector,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu noted that the company had balanced technology adoption with job creation, highlighting the need for Zimbabwe’s education system to prepare young people for future-focused, tech-enabled industries.
“When I was touring the plant, we witnessed how advanced automation and technologies have increased their production capabilities. However, it is also impressive to see they still have a human touch on packing, that’s how automated they are,” he said.
“The Profeeds plant here in Bulawayo is more technologically advanced than their Harare facility, which is slightly older. This is the future and we must ensure our skills pipeline is ready to meet such developments.”
The minister also commended the investment’s impact on market dynamics, saying the entry of Profeeds into the region has not only driven down the cost of stock feed, but also encouraged healthy competition, with other players reducing their prices as well.
“The country has been witnessing numerous investments into agro-processing and with the coming in of the Profeeds Bulawayo plant, it is driving down substantially the price of stock feed,” he said.
He reiterated Government support for such ventures, noting that duty-free import incentives for capital equipment were crucial to enabling private sector growth and retooling.
