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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 43815, member: 636"]
National Foods launched three new manufacturing plants that produce pasta, biscuits and cereals from local crops. The company spent $22.7 plus million on these facilities during May. Zimbabwe imports about $40 million worth of pasta each year from other countries. The new pasta plant makes 1,200 tons monthly against total demand of 3,500 tons. Biscuit imports also arrive from South Africa and Zambia.

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 locally. National Foods has invested $50 million over five years on plant upgrades and new equipment. The firm believes government policies support their expansion plans. Import replacement saves foreign currency for Zimbabwe.

Lashbrook thinks agricultural nations should process their grains into finished foods. Corn flakes come mainly from maize but many brands sold locally are imported. Pasta needs flour and water as main ingredients when wheat grows throughout Zimbabwe. The company recently upgraded a flour mill in Bulawayo for $6 million. A cereal extrusion plant cost another $4.4 million to build.
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