Nestle Zimbabwe has commissioned a milk powder plant following its $8m renovation in order to increase production capacity.
The refurbishment has enhanced the plant's capacity from 900kg to 1,600kg for creamer and from 900kg to 1,500kg per hour for milk powders.
The capacity enhancement for the coffee creamer Cremora will see production of 7,500 tons per annum. The demand, however, is pegged at 12,500 tons, which is expected to be catered through imports, Zimbabwe Herald reported.
Since 2011, Nestle Zimbabwe has invested $30m for the upgradation of the facility.
Nestlé south cluster manager Ben Ndiaye was quoted by News Day as saying that the commissioning of the new facility will help the company focus on catering to the local demand on a priority basis and then look to exports.
He was quoted by publication as saying: "We are trying to understand the Malawian and Zambian markets. We are already exporting Cerelac, Cerevita and soon will be in a position to export Cremora to Zambia."
The food company is planning to develop new products for low income groups in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Nestle has had a 56-year-old presence in Zimbabwe producing creamers, milk powders, cereals and other products.
The Swiss food company invested $11m to revive the dairy industry in the country when Zimbabwe is undergoing a difficult phase in the manufacturing sector.
Image: Nestle enhances production capacity at Zimbabwe's milk powder plant. Photo: Courtesy of Lorian at the English language /Wikipedia.
