By Coline Dzavakwa

National Foods Limited is the country’s largest food manufacturer producing a wide range of basic goods that are on demand and consumed locally in large quantities. They also manufacture a wide range of animal feed that has seen them dominate the market.

In an investment aimed to reduce the import bill on pasta, biscuits and cereals, National Foods commissioned three plants in an event presided over by His Excellency the President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa.

The plants include a large scale breakfast cereals extrusion plant, a biscuit manufacturing line and a pasta facility.

The modern breakfast cereal plant targets a capacity of a staggering 800 tonnes per month and costing USD 7 million. The plant will consume 15 000 tonnes of maize per year.

The Biscuit Manufacturing Plant has the capacity to produce 1 300 tonnes of a variety of biscuits per month.

The US 6 million Pasta Plant produces 1 200 tonnes per month and will go a long way in reducing the import bill. Currently, Zimbabwe consumes around 5 000 tonnes of pasta per month.

This is all in line with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce’s strategic partnerships with the private sector in reconstructing the economy.

The Guest of Honour and President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa was impressed by the such a huge investment and said that the three plants are a testament of the company’s commitment to its role in complementing Government’s efforts to consolidate national food and sovereignty as well as accelerate agro-industriliasation”.

“The commissioning of the new plants marks a new chapter in the food processing sub-sector, driven by innovation and Technology” he added.

The President also said, “I acknowledge and thank our investors, partners and all stakeholders whose support and confidence made the venture possible.”

“My Government stands ready to continue improving the doing business environment in line with our mantra, “Zimbabwe is open for business,” the President also remarked.

The President commended the Government, private sector and especially farmers for making produce that feed the nation and stimulate manufacturing and economic growth.

The commissioning was attended by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Captains of Industry, Diplomats and many other stakeholders who came to witness a giant in the food processing industry grow bigger and better.

As a token of appreciation, the President as Guest of Honour was given a 30 tonnes truck load of a variety of National Foods products that he will distribute to charity.