Zambeef’s newly opened Mini Macros will serve as the final point for vertical integration of its agri-business, through which all its produces are to be sold to the general public, this is according to the company.
The new Mini Macro store has been opened at Lusaka’s New Soweto Market and Zambeef believe the latest development is in tandem with their quest to continue promoting local agriculture value-chain while delivering the highest international standards in the food retailing industry.
Zambeef CEO Francis Grogan said the stores have been designed to reflect international standards, emphasise hygiene and food safety, and have ample storage capacity, parking space, security, convenience and ease of access as well as an appealing shopping environment.
“Our retail outlets serve as the final point for vertical integration of our agri-business through which all the products Zambeef produces are sold to the general public; but more importantly they provide accessible and available products to our customers in a hygienic environment,” said Grogan.
The New Soweto Mini Macro is the 35th of such Zambeef Macro stores in Zambia, and the seventh Macro in Kanyama constituency, which now has the highest number of Macros in the country.
Grogan said Zambeef has been working closely with local farmers across the country to procure home-grown inputs for its production operations; its milk is 100% local; all its livestock in terms of beef, poultry and pork are sourced from local farmers; the company also grows its own grain and whatever else it needs from its farmers.
He also added that the company provides support in creating linkages to markets for the farmers as well as providing a ready market for their produce, not just within the country but beyond through exports.
“New Soweto is dear to us because Zambeef is an agribusiness and farming corporate citizen. It is a fact that New Soweto is the largest fresh vegetable and fruit market in Zambia for our farmers. We have come to complement you and work with the rest of our fellow merchants in providing value-added cold chains products such as beef, pork, poultry and dairy,” said Grogan.
He added that the company employs over 8,000 staff, and believes agriculture remains a vital sector providing livelihoods, reducing poverty and improving living standards for millions of people.
Zambeef produced 18.1 million kgs of beef in 2018. It is also one of the largest chicken and egg producers in Zambia, producing 16.9 million day-old chicks a year and processing 12.8 million kgs of chickens in 2018.
The company has also one of the largest piggeries, pig abattoirs and pork processing plants in Zambia, with 9.9 million kgs produced during the year, while its dairy processes around 19.3 million litres of milk a year.
