In his two-week trip to mainland China prior to Hong Kong Fruit Logistica, Clarence Mwale couldn’t find an entire orange in the stores in Shanghai. The only thing he saw in the wholesale market were citrus that were imported from the USA with a price that was astronomical. cost.
A few years ago, in Hong Kong, a Chinese importer wanted to purchase the equivalent of 80 citrus containers but according to Clarence the importer that he could only obtain 17 containers during the season.
“There’s an enormous need for Zimbabwean citrus that we’ve not yet been able to meet,” Clarence says, adding that two Zimbabwean citrus growers from Beitbridge were granted approval to export their products to China however, the currently, bilateral talks are expected to clear the path for the majority of Zimbabwean citrus farmers.
“Fruit Logistica Hong Kong for me was an extremely pleasant unexpected experience. We weren’t the sole Zimbabweans in the show and, each moment we made a statement to the crowd, everyone got excited. We got a very warm greeting: people were astonished to hear that we’d traveled to Zimbabwe and they all was eager to meet us. This was especially true for Chinese firms that are looking especially for citrus from Zimbabwe.”
Clarence is a significant number of growers who are small in Zimbabwe which, in some cases, own a couple of hectares of oranges, however collectively they could accumulate a significant amount of tonnage.
Tuminda quickly expands its European exports of beans and peas
Similar to the way those who grow for Tuminda (a Shona word meaning a group of farms that are small and small farms – are also part of the long-standing Zimbabwean bean and pea export market, shipping more than 400 tonnes of mangetout, sugar snap peas. They are also currently sending superfine and fine beans to the big supermarkets such as Lidl, Albert Heijn and C’zon in France.
In less than one year, Tuminda has grown to become Zimbabwe’s third largest exporter of beans and peas. The beginning of season, prices are high enough to justify flying the beans out of Harare however, when the volumes are enough and sound quality the peas are transported over two days before being transported to Cape Town, whence they are transported to Europe.
“We’re likely to be the third largest producer of peas and a exporter to Europe Exports continue to grow into week 48. This is when most Zimbabwean pea farmers are expected to have finished. The weather will be more humid, which could affect the production quality. But no other company has a supply at the moment and the price is worthwhile.”
The ports of Mozambique have been featured on the news lately however Maputo is far enough for the port as well. Beira isn’t equipped with the facilities that they need to stay cold the spokesman says.
“The quality of the product has been extremely good and we’ve not had any problems being in compliance with all EU’s regulations,” he remarks, which isn’t unexpected: for 15 years Clarence’s firm Fair-Mark has been helping companies prepare to pass all the important accreditation audits that take place in Zimbabwe and over the border in Mozambique and different African countries.
Left: Clarence Mwale in a blueberry field in Mvurwi, Zimbabwe
This year Tuminda will sell the lotus as well as mangoes grown by Mozambican small-scale producers.
In tracing the entire area Clarence has gained an extensive understanding of Zimbabwean agriculture. He has emerged as an influential advocate for an agricultural revival in Zimbabwe and has shared his knowledge with attendees at international trade fairs.
Already having visited Europe, Middle East and Asia in the past year, his next stop will attend the Inter-African Trade Exhibition in Egypt on November.
“We’re always seeking market opportunities that aren’t there yet,” the CEO says.
The plan for winter 2024 is to take the fruit and veg from the thousands of cultivators – with the aim of reaching 5,000 this year Sort the, pack and grade their beans and peas in Tuminda’s packhouse that is currently in construction and situated near Harare. It is expected to be able to store 50 tons of various varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables every day.
Offtake agreements were not available hyperlink
“Our strategy is to transform the lives of the small-scale farmers who did not have the an opportunity to sell their products. Tuminda gives them access to an offtake agreement, on that basis, banks are then able to offer these farmers banks loans. Offtake agreements have, for a long time, years been the gaping link.”
Right: freshly plant fine beans
He has recently stated to the Zimbabwean television channel NRTV that farmers who are small scale do not have many businesses who are willing to consider their options. “We selected small-scale farmers as nobody else has chosen these farmers. This is hard work, so we’ve chosen to do the hard work and make it our issue.”
He views Tuminda’s work as one that is purely humanitarian. “If we were able to collaborate with 5,000 farmers, and get a couple hundred children to schools, it would be a great achievement for us to achieve the aim, and much more than anything.”
Its Harare office is filled growing potential clients, which is a sign of the better business environment that has emerged in Zimbabwe.
“I consider that there is a lot of hope for Zimbabwe there has been a change to the good. There’s lots of manufacturing as well as a great deal of positive energy.”
He acknowledges there an element of trepidation lead-up to Zimbabwe’s recent elections (not not based on the history of their elections over the last 20 years).
Mangetout and Sugar Snap pea farmer Jane Mgwira along with Clarence Mwale
“I believe that people have come to recognize that politics must not impact business,” he says. “There’s there is a lot of political issues to address, but regarding agriculture and business I feel that it’s transformed for the better in Zimbabwe. The banks never before offered to people cash, but they now offer loans. Farmers are able to get assistance by going to an establishment and purchase irrigation equipment with credit.”
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Clarence Mwale
Tuminda
Tel: +263 772 929 941
Email: info@tuminda.co.zw
https://www.tuminda.co.zw/
Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies