Staff Reporter
President Mnangagwa yesterday officially commissioned a US$13 million state-of-the-art production facility at National Foods in Harare, comprising breakfast cereal, biscuit, and pasta plants, as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to promote agro-industrialisation and achieve food self-sufficiency.
Addressing delegates, including industry players and Government officials, the President said the milestone investment was a reflection of confidence in the Second Republic’s economic reforms and the nation’s industrial growth strategy.
“The facility is a testament of the company’s commitment to its role in complementing Governmentefforts to consolidate national food security and sovereignty, as well as accelerate agro-industrialisation,” he said.
The commissioned plants include an 800-tonne-per-month breakfast cereal extrusion line, a 1 300-tonne-per-month biscuit line, and a pasta production line capable of producing 1 200 tonnes of short-cut pasta monthly.
The facilities will utilise locally produced maize and wheat, offering direct support to Zimbabwean farmers.
“With a targeted investment totalling US$7 million, this plant will utilise around 15 000 tons of maize annually, directly supporting our farmers, thereby stimulating further production and productivity in the agriculture sector,” said President Mnangagwa.
He noted that Zimbabwe has achieved wheat self-sufficiency, positioning the country to process its own raw materials and reduce reliance on imports.
“It is commendable that as a country, we have realised self-sufficiency in the production of wheat, which is a key raw material in the production of pasta. It is, therefore, timely that the National Foods pasta line, established at a cost of US$6 million, is covering the import gap,” he said.
The President said such developments mark a new era in local manufacturing, enhancing regional competitiveness and fostering inclusive economic growth.
“This production facility is a beacon of efforts towards economic development and industrialisation. It embodies our collective ambition of building a self-reliant and prosperous Zimbabwe, sector by sector,” he said.
President Mnangagwa challenged National Foods to continue operating at full capacity and expand exports to regional markets such as Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa.
“My Government will support you in this regard. Let us continue to work together to support initiatives that uphold our sovereignty, empower ourselves, and build a sustainable and self-reliant Zimbabwe,” he said.
With the commissioning of these advanced production lines, Zimbabwe reinforces its path toward food self-sufficiency and industrial growth, marking a significant stride in the realisation of Vision 2030 and the broader goal of building a modern, resilient, and self-reliant economy with the capacity to produce and compete at a global level.
