The role that Zambian Breweries plc is playing in adding value to local agricultural products has impressed the Zambian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – ZACCI who toured the company’s Lusaka plant this week.
The company’s contribution in job creation, local agro-processing and manufacturing through production of its iconic Mosi and Castle clear beer and affordable Eagle Lager was key in supporting local enterprises through sourcing its main ingredients such as barley, cassava, sorghum and maize from local producers.
“What you see in a beer bottle is much more value addition to the economy,” said ZACCI executive committee president Michael Nyirenda after touring the Mungwi Road plant.
“Zambian Breweries’ value addition draws government’s effort in creating a Zambian owned economy where we use our raw materials from locally produced crops such as cassava, maize, barley, and sorghum to produce products for the local market as well as for export. This is a huge investment to Zambia,” said Mr Nyirenda.
ZACCI, along with colleagues from the Zambia Association of Manufactures – ZAM were thrilled with the value addition, mechanisation, safety and quality of production that the brewing company has put in place at its plants. The tour gave the visitors an insight into the value addition the brewing company adds to the Zambian economy.
And Zambian Breweries corporate affairs director Ezekiel Sekele said, “The brewing company through its Agro-processing is supporting small to large-scale enterprises through sourcing of its main beer ingredients, such as barley, cassava, sorghum and maize locally.”
“We are grateful to all our key stakeholders, the government of Zambia, ZACCI and ZAM for the commitment in supporting ventures that grow and develop the lives of Zambians,” he added. As an agro-processor, Zambian Breweries is boosting agricultural production, enhancing productivity and increasing earnings for the local farmers.
Through its wide sourcing of agricultural raw materials, the brewer makes agriculture a sustainable business venture even for small-scale farmers with its cassava and maize purchases.
In 2018, Zambian Breweries bought 7 million kilograms of cassava, worth about K10 million, from local farmers. Further, this has added value to the entire value chain, impacting positively on small and medium sized enterprises.
Photo below is Zambian breweries malting plant in Lusaka South Multi-facility economic Zone
