A breakthrough in agricultural development has been marked with the Lusaka Avocado Multi-purpose Cooperative Society (LAMCS) delivering its first batch of premium avocados to Shoprite outlets across the country. This milestone was celebrated at the Shoprite Manda Hill store in Lusaka and represents a new era of opportunity for small-scale avocado growers nationwide.
LAMCS’s John Chowa said the event brought together key stakeholders including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mwendalubi Moono Msok, Shoprite Zambia Managing Director Charles Bota and the LAMCS board. “This collaboration is a significant step in agricultural transformation and aligns perfectly with the government’s vision of promoting high-value crops through the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme,” said Chowa.
Speaking at the launch, Msoka said, “Today, we are witnessing the fruits of a true partnership between farmers and the private sector. Shoprite’s commitment to sourcing locally produced avocados creates an effective model of sustainable agri-food development.”
A bilateral trade agreement between Zambia and South Africa has opened the door for fresh avocado exports. A Ministry of Agriculture representative explained, “This agreement provides our farmers with access to one of the most advanced markets on the continent. We are working closely with growers to ensure their products meet all the required phytosanitary and quality standards for export.”
Shoprite’s General Manager Charles Bota encouraged producers to think beyond raw exports. “Even if we start by supplying fresh fruit to all our shops, the real opportunity lies in adding value. Our shelves are ready for locally produced avocado oil and other innovative avocado products,”said Bota.
Engineer Bernard Chiwala, Chairperson of LAMCS, outlined the cooperative’s growth strategy. “Ensuring a constant supply throughout the year is our immediate goal. To that end, we are coordinating production across the country’s agro-ecological zones. We are investing in infrastructure for post-harvest handling and cold chain systems to maintain superior quality,” said Chiwala. He added that the expansion of the avocado sector could increase smallholder incomes by over 40% while significantly reducing post-harvest losses.
With global demand for avocados rising by 10% annually, the country’s favourable growing conditions position it as a potential major exporter. The government has designated avocados as a priority crop under the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme.The delivery to Shoprite shelves offers consumers the chance to support local farmers while enjoying homegrown fruit. This initiative is expected to boost national food security, strengthen the economy and create employment across the agricultural value chain.
