Shoprite stocks 90 percent local fresh produce

PETER SICHALI writes @SunZambian SHOPRITE will continue to give support to local farmers to enhance production and increase uptake of local products, General Manager Charles Bota has said. Mr Bota said 90 per cent of fresh products in Shoprite outlets across the country was sourced from local suppliers. “We are working with a good number of local suppliers and 90 percent of fresh produce is locally sourced,”Mr Bota said. Mr Bota said the chain store would continue to give support to local suppliers to enhance production. “We will continue complementing Government efforts by ensuring that we procure locally produced fresh commodities for our outlets across the country,” he said. The General Manager said Shoprite has been procuring fresh products from local suppliers and cited watermelons, mangoes, sweet potatoes, peppers and sweet corn among other produce. “Zambia has the potential to produce fresh produce and 90 percent of the stored in outlets across the country is sourced locally,”Mr Bota said. Mr Bota said Shoprite was helping local manufactures to export peanut butter, honey and other products to its stores outside Zambia so that local suppliers do not have to worry about permit applications and requirements. “The company will continue encouraging local suppliers to continue producing quality fresh produce,” Mr Bota said.