National Foods Holdings to Process Pasta as Wheat Harvests Break Record

By Tendai Chisiri

National Foods Holdings the largest manufacturing company in Zimbabwe has invested over US$30 million over the past two years and with the wheat harvests breaking a record, they are to do away with importation of pasta and start to process it as they are constructing a state of the art pasta and biscuit plants at Sterling premises in the capital.

During a media tour at the premise Friday, Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Sithembiso Nyoni said National Foods Holdings has stood the test of time due to their positive thinking and positive articulation. She applauded the company for not closing down during the economic upheaval in Zimbabwe when most manufacturing companies were relocating to neighbouring countries.

“Our President Emmerson Mnangagwa ‘s key message is for organisations to do away with negative perceptions and National Foods has achieved this. From the briefing I had with them, they talked about solutions most instead of only citng xhallenges bedvelling the industry as some do”, she revealed.

National Foods will no longer be importing pasta for their short products macaroni, penne, fusili and long product spaghetti as they are constructing a pasta plant, first of its kind in Zimbabwe. They are also constructing a new biscuit plant so that importation of biscuits is reduced in the country.

Minister Nyoni said National Foods was not only expanding in Harare, but in other cities like Bulawayo in line with the Government’s devolution agenda.“National Foods has increased its uptake of locally sourced raw materials like wheat, maize and soya, as well as packaging.“Agro-processing in the food and beverage sector is at the heart of the Government’s policy thrust as it contributes to value addition, job creation, food security and nutrition in our country,” she said.

Minister Nyoni added that they will continue to support the manufacturing sector, as it plays a pivotal role in enhancing the structural transformation of the economy and was an essential driver.“I am happy to be advised that National Foods has benefited from the fiscal incentives, VAT deferments and duty rebates on imported capital equipment and machinery.“ My ministry will also support National Foods in plans to install solar power at their plants, as this is in line with the Green Industry Initiative,” she said.



National Foods chief executive, Mr Mike Lashbrook, said the company has over the past two years made investments worth over US$30 million in bringing in new products and expanding capacity and they are very happy with the wheat yields in the country.

“The pasta plant is going to be lucrative as we will not be going to import wheat. With a lot of wheat around, it is going to be a good venture for the country as profits will be made from our wheat. Instead of exporting the wheat, we will be generating more for our economy.”

“Our flour production is continuing to grow and the concept for growing wheat for exports is not commendable. We want to grow wheat for local production as we contract farmers that grow wheat for us”, he said. He also added that they are going to use local grain cereals for the products.

He also said the idea of the state of the art biscuit plant came after they saw that a lot of biscuit imports were coming to Zimbabwe. ” The idea is to substitute importation with our products”, he added.

Tawanda Musonza, operations manager said all along, they had been importing pasta with biscuits being manufactured at Iris in Willowvale industrial area. ” We are looking forward to make 2 tonnes of pasta per day, 48 tonnes per year and 14 400 tonnes per year” he revealed.

Nyasha Mhizha managing executive for biscuits said they would have the capacity to make loose biscuits, premier sandwiched biscuits and creamed biscuits. ” The equipment has a lot of capacity to innovate and make more products” he said.

The construction of the buildings for the plants was completed a month ago and the installation started a week ago and the completion is expected in December and it will be commissioned.The plant equipment was sourced from Italy.