Zambian agribusiness eyes regional market

By mahlokoane percy ngwato

Stay Connected! Follow @AfricaBizReview and @MrNLon on Twitter. Like our Facebook Page.

At the Euromoney Zambia Finance and Investment Conference in Lusaka, it was suggested that the country’s agricultural sector has the potential to become a leading player in the region

Addressing the conference, Zambeef Products Joint Chief Executive Officer Carl Irwin said: “There are 460 million people in SADC and COMESA and we need to ensure our industry is competitive in this market.

“Zambia is the envy of many countries in Africa and around the world in that we are self-sufficient in many agricultural products, including beef, milk, chickens, eggs and soybean. That’s a huge credit to Zambia and the agricultural sector.”

RELATED: Zambia's first palm oil plantation

With more than 700,000 members of the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU), small-scale farmers form the bedrock of the sector; with half the country’s population relying on agriculture, the sector is the naturally the country’s largest employer.

RELATED: Zambia to issue $2 billion government Eurobond

Zambia’s abundant water, fertile soil and conducive climate have the country’s farmers a competitive advantage. Improvements in infrastructure, especially to road networks and telecommunications, in the last two decades have also contributed to strengthening the sector.

Irwin added: “For me the most important thing if creating the market, and if you do that you will see the supply follow. The agriculture sector reacts quickly when the market is created; the critical thing is creating this market.”

Read the September Issue of African Business Review. 

Share

Featured Articles

Abu Dhabi Airports prepares for Terminal A opening

A decade in the making, Abu Dhabi International Airport welcomes 6,000 volunteers to test operational readiness of stunning new Terminal A building

Business Chief expands portfolio with new look and coverage

Business Chief Middle East & Africa launches with fresh new look and extended coverage of the region, with exclusive executive interviews and insights

How Octopus Energy grew to become an industry giant

Octopus Energy continues to grow after a deal was agreed to acquire Shell Energy in the UK and Germany, taking its customer base to almost seven million

Perkbox CEO: How to support employees through tough times

Human Capital

How Middle East is embracing the future of digital finance

Corporate Finance

UAE Lulu Group shifts business for global growth and IPO

Corporate Finance