Zambia seeks pineapple export market

THE Zambian Development Agency (ZDA) is currently exploring the Kenyan and Mauritius export market for local rice and pineapples.

ZDA export development specialist, Petronella Ndimbwa, said ZDA had therefore undertaken a study to establish the possibility of an export market for Zambian rice and pineapples in Kenya and Mauritius.

Ms Ndimbwa explained that the main objective of the study was to identify market opportunities for rice and pineapple in those two countries.

She said this during the ZDA export market research presentation on Kenya and Mauritius in Lusaka.

“Understanding the possible distribution channels for these products in that market will identify other opportunities for Zambian products.

“Kenya is a largely agricultural based economy that accounted for 70 percent of the workforce and 34 percent of Gross Domestic Product,” Ms Ndimbwa said.

Ms Ndimbwa said there was a silent restriction on import of pineapples to protect the local market.

“There is also need for the establishment of supply partnerships with retailers and distributors who are already in the market.

“The establishment of partnerships in these countries will help retailers and distributors supply through a regional value chain,” Ms Ndimbwa said.

She said an aggressive export promotion campaign which included a trade mission and entry of Zambian products through the already established retailers such as Shoprite would soon be undertaken by ZDA.

“There is also need to negotiate the extension of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa for Small and Medium Enterprises to benefit from the cross border trade between Zambia and Kenya,” Ms Ndimbwa said.