In a bid to create market access for locally grown crops, Zambian Breweries Plc has bought about 11, 000 tonnes of barley to be processed at the soon-to-be commissioned US$33million malting plant at the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone (LS-MFEZ).

Zambian Breweries, which is among the subsidiaries of AB InBev, uses barley for the production of lagers. Other local businesses which were formally owned by SABMiller include National Breweries and Heinrich’s Beverages.

Zambian Breweries Plc plant manager for malting George Klein said the plant which has a maximum capacity of 15,000 tonnes of malt per year, is expected to cut down on the cost of processing barley in Zimbabwe hence further improving the local supply chain.

Mr. Klein said this in an interview last week when LS-MFEZ new board of directors, led by chairperson Chishimba Kateka toured the malting plant expected to be commissioned this year.

He said for the last nine years, Zambian Breweries Plc has started the commissioning process of its new malting plant and that the barley is being stored in 10 silos with a capacity of 1,500 tonnes.

“About 11,000 tonnes of locally-grown barley from farmers has been bought in this year’s growing season. Locally-grown barley will now be malted in our Zambian Malting Plant and will then finally be used as the main ingredient for the company’s famous Mosi, Castle and Castle Lite lagers.