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Tanganda plantations

Martin Kadzere : Senior Business Reporter

ZIMBABWE’S largest tea producer, Tanganda Tea Company aims to more than double export revenue to $22 million by 2019 through increased sales of packed tea and new crops. Tanganda, a subsidiary of Meikles Group has invested about $4,4 million in the development of new plantations of macadamia and avocado and the new crops are expected to support the company’s export drive.It also spent $4 million in new tea packing machinery, placing it in a position to compete with other global tea packers.

In the full year to March 2015, Tanganda reported revenue of $21,1 million. “Our exports currently account for about 50 percent of turnover, but in the next two to three years, our exports will double,” Tanganda managing director Mr Henry Nemaire said.

“We will have an additional $12 million from exports of packed tea and from new crops. We have been investing heavily in developing new crop . . . we are now the biggest grower of macadamia by hectarage and the biggest avocado grower in Zimbabwe,” he added.

Tanganda, which has capacity to pack about 6 000 tonnes of tea products annually is mainly exporting to Mozambique and the lower end market of South Africa. It is also planning to grow its market share in neighbouring Zambia and Namibia, Mr Nemaire said.

Zimbabwe consumes about 4 000 tonnes of tea products annually and imports accounts for 25 percent. Mr Nemaire said Government should consider adding tea products on import restrictions to support viability of local producers.

“We are a big sector employing 10 000 people. We need support from the Government,” he said.

Tanganda started in the 1920s as a tea growing experiment and has since grown to become a thriving business employing thousands and supporting small scale farmers.

The company is divided into two main operating divisions — agricultural and beverage.

The agricultural division is based in Chipinge and consists of six estates inter-cropped with tea, coffee, avocados and macadamia nuts.

The beverage division consists of a tea blending and packaging plant in Mutare.

Packed tea from this factory is sold and distributed through distribution depots in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare.

Major company brands include, Tanganda, Stella, Silver, Joko, Tanganda Special Blend, Tanganda Tips, Fresh Leaves, Tanganda Healthy Green, Nella Rooibos bags and Natra Fresh Rooibos, and High Country Coffee.

The company bottles water from one of its select perennial natural springs from the many natural springs in the estates.