Schweppes banks on citrus farmers

NDAMU SANDU

A unit of Schweppes Holdings Africa Limited is banking on farmers to deliver more oranges to enable it to meet its demand for orange juice concentrates.

Beit Bridge Juicing (BBJ) supplies 50 percent of Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited’s requirements due to limited intake from citrus farmers who prefer to export 70 percent of their output due to higher prices.

BBJ head of operations Charles Tembo told journalists during a tour of the plant on Monday that the processor was taking in 20 percent of fruit production. Citrus farmers sell 10 percent of their produce to the local fresh fruit market. This has seen BBJ pinning its hopes on farmers under an irrigation community scheme, Shashe, where the processor is entitled to half of the output.

“They supply 50 percent of their output. If they so wish, they can supply us with 100 percent,” he said. This year, the farmers expect to harvest 600 tonnes with BBJ entitled to get half of that which is 300 tonnes.

This year, the company targets to process 25 500 tonnes but to meet the requirements of Schweppes, it has to process over 50 000 tonnes.

The project, which is on 92 hectares and composed of 187 farmers, is at the heart of the company as it is one of the most successful community irrigation schemes in the country, according to Schweppes Holdings Africa Limited commercial director Unaiswi Nyikadzino.

“We will continue to help. Last year, we funded $80 000 for good management practices and helping the chairperson of the scheme with administration skills. “We are working with them. We are capacitating them. They are not yet there. We are walking with them step by step,” she said.

For 65 brix, BBJ is producing 90,4kg per tonne against target of 85kg per tonne. Sweetness is measured in brix with the sweetest having the highest number. For 30 brix, the juice processor is at 52,5kg against a target of 60kg per tonne. BBJ is currently producing 2,5kg per tonnes of orange oil against target of 3kg per tonne.

BBJ started operations in 2007 and owns 70 percent in Norton based Best Fruit Processors. The remainder of the shareholding is owned by Agricultural and Rural Development Authority.

It supplies 50 brix orange juice concentrate to Schweppes Zimbabwe which takes about 80 percent.

It also supplies to Pro-bottlers, Delta and Montero. It also processes 65 brix which Tembo said BBJ does not supply unless it sells to one who can dilute it with 30 brix to come up with 50 brix.

BBJ also process orange oil and essence. The dried peel is supplied as stock feed.