The production and processing of crude palm oil is expected to drastically reduce the country’s dependence on crude palm oil and edible oil imports. Current imports stand at over US$70 million every year, a costly exercise for the country which consumes around 120,000 tonnes of cooking oil but only produces 30-50 percent of the total supply. More than half of Zambia’s edible oil consumption is imported from the Far East, East Africa and South Africa.
“We are very excited about the opportunities and possibilities the venture presents for both the company and the country,” said Zambeef Board Chairman Dr Jacob Mwanza. For the first time we will have quality palm oil being produced, refined and sold locally. This is a huge step towards industrialisation and raising the country’s agro-processing portfolio.”
We are very happy to be working with Zambeef to bring Zambian palm oil to the market. Their quality of oil is outstanding and the initiative will allow us to move away from crude palm oil imports and thus be able to be more competitive in terms of our finished products,” said Malolan Sampath, CEO of Global Industries Ltd.
Palm oil is the world’s most used and versatile vegetable oil. In addition to cooking oil, its derivatives are found in foods such as margarines and ice cream and is also used as a thickener, preservative and antioxidant; in personal care products such as shampoo, and cosmetics; industrial products such as lubricants paints and inks; and as a renewable fuel. The palm plant is the most efficient oil producing plant and can be harvested for 25 years and as long as the tree continues to yield a harvest.
The Zampalm project was launched in 2009 and currently has some 409,506 palms planted over an area of 2,873 hectares in the main plantation, with another 39,000 seedlings in the main and pre-nursery.
Zampalm plans to further work with small-scale farmers in the area to set up an outgrower scheme to feed palm fruit into the Zampalm mill. This will allow local farmers in the area to participate and contribute towards edible oil production in the country.
We expect to see an increase in demand for palm oil in Zambia as the country further develops and new industries and markets are created,” – Dr Mwanza.