Staff Reporter
Kacholo Chillies, a Zimbabwean agribusiness, is making significant strides in international markets by exporting premium dried chillies to the United Kingdom and the European Union.
The company, a participant in the UK Trade Partnerships (UKTP) Programme, is also transforming local communities by working with 2,000 smallholder farmers, most of them women, helping to improve livelihoods and drive inclusive economic growth.
Speaking after a farm tour in Mawere Chiredzi yesterday, UKTP programme spokesperson Mohammed Saeed stated, “We are proud to support Zimbabwean businesses like Kacholo Chillies in accessing high-value markets. This is a prime example of how trade partnerships can foster sustainable growth, while uplifting rural communities.”
Kacholo specialises in three major chilli varieties: cayenne pepper, African bird’s eye chilli (piri piri), and paprika.
The company ensures premium quality through stringent grading and mechanised solar-powered drying systems, an eco-friendly approach that also reduces its carbon footprint.
The company’s Managing Director, Tawanda Nyoni, highlighted the positive impact on farmers.
“Our model ensures that smallholder farmers receive training, resources, and market access. We don’t just buy their chillies; we invest in their success,” Nyoni said.
Zimbabwe’s chilli exports are gaining global recognition, with Kacholo supplying major brands, including Nando’s, for over seven years.
The initiative is part of Zimbabwe’s broader economic push, as trade between Zimbabwe and the UK surged by 67 percent in 2023, surpassing US$800 million, according to the ZimTrade website.
Echoing the same sentiments, Allan Majuru, CEO of ZimTrade, stated, “The UK market presents a great opportunity for Zimbabwean farmers. We are seeing increased demand for high-value agricultural exports, and Kacholo Chillies is leading the way.”
Beyond exports, Kacholo is also contributing to conservation efforts.
In partnership with the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, the company is promoting chilli farming as a means of reducing human-elephant conflict in communities near Gonarezhou National Park.
Meanwhile, farmers participating in the programme reported substantial earnings.
“I now make around US$400 a month, and I have even employed someone to help,” said Luckmore Kazamula, a smallholder farmer.
With its focus on sustainability, farmer empowerment, and export growth, Kacholo Chillies is setting a benchmark for Zimbabwean agribusiness on the global stage.
