Zambian grain bag suppliers have been blamed for opting to import low quality grain bags at the expense of sourcing them locally and at a higher quality, losing the country the retention of foreign exchange which the economy badly needs.
Strongpak Limited, a Kitwe based manufacturing of grain and other packaging materials says some traders have opted to bring in grain bags from outside the country rather than support local manufacturers who are making the bags locally.
Company Marketing Manager Manish Bhat said the traders are bringing in cheap products that are of low quality at the expense of supporting and promoting locally manufactured grain bags.
Bhat said the company would however continue to provide quality products for people who appreciate value, as the company does not want to compromise on the quality of its products.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Bhat said Strongpak has the biggest capacity in the country to manufacture the grain bags, which it is currently manufacturing without any challenges, but unfortunately, some people choose to import cheap bags from outside.
He noted that the company also manufactures grain bags for the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and has continued to deliver as and when promised without any challenges or delays adding that Strongpak is ahead of other suppliers in terms of delivery.
He mentioned that the company is able to manufacture any quantities of grain bags in order to meet the demand and has continued to deliver the products on time noting that it will continue to provide for people interested in quality not those who want cheap products.
FRA is one of the main buyers of grain bags but they source these from various suppliers some of whom are importing low quality grain bags. Moreover, farmers in rural parts of the country have been caught up in the shortage of grain bags which can easily be manufactured in Kitwe and save the country forex.
