Zambia to export semi-processed honey

BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes ZAMBIA has advanced its discussions with South Africa on exporting of semi processed honey to that country, says Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Christopher Yaluma. Mr Yaluma said discussions had reached an advanced stage and that Government was optimistic that the move would contribute to the country’s diversification agenda.  “That has been discussed and we are very much advanced. The concept is that South Africa would like to get the honey core but Zambia is saying it is better we need the honey in full processed form and that is what we have submitted and that is our position as it is now,” he said in an interview. Mr Yaluma said this move would ensure that Zambia added value to its natural resources which in turn would create employment.  “What this means is that we must add value to our natural resources so that we create employment and then get most of the profits from that and having it semi processed and send them. “Then we will be befitting what we are articulating now, having diversified from copper mostly going into agro processing. We should keep that as it is,” he said. The Minister called on local farmers to ensure their produce is of good quality if Zambia had to penetrate the industry beyond the borders. Mr Yaluma stressed the need to provide service to the people by supplying products of superior quality.  This, he said, was also an opportunity to have a trial run into the wider market of COMESA and Africa Continental for Trade Area. Meanwhile, Mr Yaluma recently announced that local farmers had started supplying their produce to chain stores to ensure there was no shortage during this period of Covid-19. Mr Yaluma said a taskforce team has been formed which includes the Chain stores , Zambia Association of Manufacturers and other players in the industry which were aggressively tackling the issue of ensuring local farmers are given top priority by chain stores. The Sun