Zambian Breweries’s US$33 million maltings plant is now ready for commissioning following the successful testing of its barley acceptance systems at the Lusaka South Multi Facility Economic Zone.
Company Director of Corporate Affairs Ezekiel Sekele said the plant is part of the group’s continuing investment plan in Zambia and is set to boost purchases of barley from local farmers as a key ingredient in the company’s popular Mosi, Castle and Castle Lite Lagers.
The company’s multi-million-dollar commitment to the maltings plant is part of the group’s wider commitment to investment in Zambia, spurred by the government’s reduction in excise tax on clear beer in last year’s Budget.
In the last five years Zambian Breweries, National Breweries and Heinrich’s Syndicate, which are now part of AB InBev, have invested more than 400 million DOLLARS in long-term capital projects.
The new facility – the first of its kind in Zambia – will enable locally grown barley to be processed into malt, the main ingredient for clear beer, for the first time in Zambia, creating more business for farmer suppliers who provide the brewery with barley thus spurring economic growth, job creation and national development, explained Managing Director Annabelle Degroot.
The plant has a maximum capacity of 15,000 tonnes of finished malt per year, creating a surplus over the brewery’s current demand of 10,000 tonnes and thus producing excess supply that can be exported.
The barley will be stored in ten massive 1,500 tonne-silos, each 32 metres high, which involved the country’s largest single pour of concrete – 1,800 cubic metres – for their foundations.
The group’s investments are helping it to grow production volumes, thus increasing employment opportunities, enabling the company to buy more agricultural commodities such as barley, maize, sorghum and cassava from local suppliers and boost sales, thus increasing overall tax revenue to the government.
Beer plants don’t excite me. i used to drink. what would excite me is if we were developing our own zamcab or relaunching Zambia Airways. too many deaths on the roads because of drunk drivers
And a broke economy because of a drunk leadership who have lost all vision.
Well said number 1 but i wish you were like me who has never tested beer.But since you used to drink and later stopped people will not take you serious with your advice.Keep quiet and let me do the advising.They will listen to me unlike listening to a former beer convict.kikikikiki
What are you going to do with Zambia Airways? Move on…you dont excited by one thing but have daft dreams about wasting tax payers money on non starters.
Mad Max you have no intelligent contribution to make
Ama jealous ba upnd!!
There’s no point if the suppliers, contracts and gigs go to cronies of the management team. We know the game at these multinationals – once locals take up the jobs.
Do not blame anyone for your failure , blame yourself ,If I may you why are you here on planet earth? Remember you are in race run your race period. If you feel bringing Zambia airways is ok , then do it your self why do want others to it for Mr or Ms Mad Max Chongo!!!!!!
If only beer was food we would be a major big player on the world map but we just consume and make the Boers wealthy…
400 million DOLLARS in long-term capital projects in your face Jay Jay the lazy chap!
….and what are the long term side effects of drinking beers made out of cassava/Millet etc? Have our so-called scientific UNZA graduates done their research on dangers that may occur to boozers as a result of this? Guys watch out, these Boer’s are crafty….
Why dangers? We have been drinking beer made from millet from time immemorial and suddenly some clever guy who has studied vi kwakwa think it dangerous.
Boers are racists but let not give them credit for everything
If only someone could put $33million in Agriculture!
What does it say about our country that everyone is cautious about investing EXCEPT producers of alcohol?
Its a drunken nation
Kikikikkikiki! Chakolwa wachoka Ku chilenje waenda Ku chibolya. Wamwa kachasu wasiya whisky