National Foods opened three new factories that make pasta, biscuits and cereals from local crops. The company spent 22.7 million dollars on these plants during May. Zimbabwe used to import 40 including dollars worth of pasta each year from other countries. The new pasta factory makes 1,200 tons monthly against total demand of 3,500 tons. These investments help Zimbabwe save foreign money and create jobs.
Chief executive Michael Lashbrook said the plants help National Foods move beyond basic food products. The company wants to add more value to wheat, maize and soya beans grown across Zimbabwe. National Foods has invested 50 million dollars over five years on plant upgrades and new equipment. The firm believes government policies support their expansion plans. Import replacement saves foreign currency for the country.
Lashbrook thinks agricultural nations should process their grains into finished foods. Corn flakes come mainly from maize but many brands sold locally are imported products. Pasta needs flour and water as main ingredients when wheat grows throughout Zimbabwe. The company recently upgraded a flour mill for 6 million dollars. A cereal plant cost another 4.4 million dollars to build.
Chief executive Michael Lashbrook said the plants help National Foods move beyond basic food products. The company wants to add more value to wheat, maize and soya beans grown across Zimbabwe. National Foods has invested 50 million dollars over five years on plant upgrades and new equipment. The firm believes government policies support their expansion plans. Import replacement saves foreign currency for the country.
Lashbrook thinks agricultural nations should process their grains into finished foods. Corn flakes come mainly from maize but many brands sold locally are imported products. Pasta needs flour and water as main ingredients when wheat grows throughout Zimbabwe. The company recently upgraded a flour mill for 6 million dollars. A cereal plant cost another 4.4 million dollars to build.
