Afdis Eyes Continued Growth Amid Crackdown On Smuggled Alcohol
Listed wine and spirits manufacturer African Distillers Limited (Afdis) is optimistic that the ongoing crackdown on illicit and smuggled alcohol will help reduce unfair competition from the informal market, reported The Herald.
Afdis, a subsidiary of Delta Corporation, has long highlighted the negative impact of illicit products—often non-compliant with regulations—and the rise of irregular imports from neighbouring countries on its sales volumes and overall operations.
Delta Corporation company secretary Faith Musinga in the third quarter trading update to December 2024, said:
It is hoped that the current blitz against illicit and smuggled alcohol will curtail unfair competition.
In terms of performance for the reviewed period, Afdis achieved a 14% volume growth for the quarter compared to the previous year, and a 12% growth year-to-date.
The Ready-to-Drink (RTD) and Wine segments, which grew by 12% and 47% respectively, benefited from improved product supply and a decline in informal imports.
The government has ramped up efforts to crack down on smuggled goods in a bid to boost the competitiveness of local industries.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has urged travellers and cross-border traders to fully comply with customs regulations to avoid penalties from law enforcement agencies.
Travellers are required to present valid proof of their customs declarations at designated roadblocks.
Failure to declare goods—whether intentional or not—can lead to serious consequences, including hefty fines and the confiscation of goods.
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