The “Buy Zambia Campaign” Chairperson Rosetta Mwape-Chabala has disclosed that locally produced Agro products are now over 90% in both value and volumes being sold in key chain stores in Zambia.
Chabala has disclosed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that overall production of agriculture products in the country has increased in the past few months given that most of the food products are not being imported amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, hence Zambian producers have taken lead in production.
She said key chain stores like Pick n Pay, Choppies and Shoprite have also corroborated with the “buy Zambia campaign” team and are now ensuring that at least 40% of local products are sitting in chain stores and these are both manufacturing and agriculture products.
“All the meat products that you see in chain stores are being bought locally and not being imported. Some local companies done very well in production and this comes with an engagement of local farmers who supply vegetables, fruits among other products to these chain stores,” She said
She added that her committee is currently working on a local content strategy which will be turned into a policy and that this will guide local sourcing where both manufactures, wholesalers and retailers will be required to comply with the guidelines to be finalized.
Chabala said the strategy is being worked on in conjunction with the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry as it is meant to support local inputs adding that a threshold of inputs will be provided to manufactures with at least 35% of local content to be able to access support from other local businesses or government procurement.
“There is quite a lot that we are working on which can even encourage Zambians to participate in big sectors such as mining and construction in terms of suppliers and producers, however it is a good strategy which can build up local content and contribute to the growth of the country’s economy at large,” She added.
