The Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) chairman Tafadzwa Musarara said that 79 milling companies have closed shop in Matabeleland over the past several years due to cheap imports from South Africa.
Musarara said this while addressing journalists after touring milling companies in Bulawayo. He said:
This region (Matabeleland) used to have an excess of 90 millers, but because of the impact of cheap imports from South Africa and other countries that number has come down to 11.
The re-opening of this company (Blue Ribbon) with its capacity currently at 10 tonnes an hour means a lot in achieving food security in the southern region because of Bulawayo mills not only for this province but for other nearby provinces like the Midlands, Matabeleland North and South.
They (Blue Ribbon) have so far committed $25 million into Zimbabwe as part of re-investment and they want to continue to do that. We believe that Blue Ribbon is a very key player in attaining food security, not only in maize meal; they are doing flour, rice and other products.
So the popular brands – Amandla and Ngwerewere – which had gone into oblivion are back and that gives consumers a wide choice.