The commissioning of the Mutare Teachers’ College Fruit Juice and Water Processing Plant by President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been hailed by Buy Zimbabwe as a significant advancement for the local industry.
Alois Burutsa, General Manager of Buy Zimbabwe, described the new facility as a “massive development” that will provide substantial benefits to the local economy.
The plant, with a capacity of producing 16,000 liters of fruit juice in an 8-hour shift, will process abundant local fruits like baobab, pineapple, banana, and guava from the Manicaland Province.
“This plant will complement the few locally manufactured fruit juices and reduce the influx of imported ones, saving foreign currency and reducing our import bill,” Burutsa stated. “With a production rate of 2,000 liters per hour, it will significantly meet local demand and help lower our trade deficit.”
Burutsa emphasized the importance of branding and market penetration for products from the new plant. He outlined plans for Mutare Teachers’ College to become members of Buy Zimbabwe, using the Buy Zimbabwe insignia to indicate the products’ local origin and quality.
This move is expected to enhance the products’ competitiveness, particularly as the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement comes into effect.
“Using the Buy Zimbabwe insignia communicates that these are quality, Zimbabwe-made products, produced under environmentally friendly conditions and employing local Zimbabweans,” he said. “We will support Mutare Teachers’ College in marketing their products through our network of retailers and wholesalers, including OK, TM Pick n Pay, and SPAR.”
Burutsa also highlighted the plant’s alignment with government policies on indigenization, economic growth, and devolution. He noted the potential for future expansion, both locally and into neighboring countries, leveraging economies of scale to lower production costs and enhance competitiveness.
“The future looks bright for this plant, as it can take advantage of both local demand and export opportunities,” Burutsa concluded. “By maintaining high product quality, they can expand into markets like Mozambique and other African countries, driving economic growth and competitiveness.”
The Mutare Teachers’ College Fruit Juice and Water Processing Plant is a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s journey towards sustainable economic development and rural industrialization, marking a new era of local production and reduced dependence on imports.
