Zimbabwean farmers are reportedly now supplying 50% of their chillis to Nandos, a South African fast food outlet. This proves beyond reasonable doubt the country's ability to produce and export, an agricultural expert has said.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a conservation farming field day in Gokwe on Tuesday, Better Agriculture field extension officer, Wages Chimhanda, said Zimbabwe exports 320 tonnes of chillis to South Africa.
“We have been working alone as Better Agriculture, but recently we partnered with SIMBA (Sustainable Intensification of Market Based Agriculture) and, through them, managed to find a market for our farmers in South Africa,” Chimhanda said.
“The type of chillis required by Nandos South Africa is called African Bird’s Eye. Farmers sell it at $2,85 per kilogram if it is grade A and $1,80 per 1kg grade B,” he said.
“We export it to Nandos after making all the final touches at $4 per kg. It is then finally processed and packaged in South Africa.”
source: newsday.co.zw
