Best Fruit Processors eyes $10m Esigodini plant

Best Fruit Processors (BFP) is set to establish a $10 million plant in Esigodini, as part of its aggressive expansion plans.

BY BUSINESS REPORTER

This comes after the company invested $3m in a refurbishment programme at its Norton plant, which has seen capacity reach 30 000 tonnes per year.

The fruit processor, a joint venture between Schweppes Zimbabwe’s unit, Beitbridge Juicing, and the Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (Arda), said preliminary engineering works for the Esigodini plant, agronomy assessments and outgrower mobilisation in Matabeleland would commence in the next quarter of this year.

It said 3 328 outgrowers in Matabeleland were expected to benefit from the project.

BFP general manager Smart Zongolo said the company was projecting to process 20 000 tonnes of fruit this year against plant capacity of 30 000.

Last year, 2 400 tonnes of fruit were processed in the form of tomatoes, guavas and mangoes.

Of the processed products, 85% were tomatoes and the tomato paste was absorbed by local manufacturers.

He said the plant was targeting to commence processing of tomatoes in June.

Zongolo said the company would work with small, medium and commercial farmers for the supply of tomatoes and guavas.

The company earmarks $1m to improve irrigation and another $1m for inputs, Zongolo said after the tour of the Norton plant yesterday.

“We are mobilising 3 000 tonnes from all areas with guava in the country working with communities,” he said.
The company has plans to export in the Sadc region.

Central bank governor John Mangudya said BFP’s operations were helping in import substitution as well as creating employment.

He said the central bank would support companies that produce as production is at the centre of the growth of the economy.