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US$40m Cheetos plant boosts Zimbabwe's manufacturing sector
2 hrs ago |
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A US$40 million Cheetos manufacturing plant, together with a juice and dairy blending facility, has officially opened in Zimbabwe, in what authorities describe as a major boost to the country's industrialisation drive.
The development was praised by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who said the investment by Varun Beverages reflects growing confidence in Zimbabwe's economy.
"The added US$20 million investment by Varun Beverages marks industrial diversification, creation of employment opportunities for our people and manufacturing sector integration into both regional and global value chains," Mnangagwa said at the launch.
The president noted that the company has expanded significantly over the past eight years, growing from a single production line producing about 10 million bottles per month to six lines with capacity reaching nearly 120 million bottles monthly.
The operation now directly employs around 2,000 people and supports an estimated 13,000 indirect jobs across logistics, retail, distribution and agriculture-linked value chains.
Varun Beverages chairman Ravi Jaipuria also announced a broader US$650 million investment programme over the next five years, covering renewable energy, recycling and brewing.
He said a 130MW green energy project has already started in Matobo, with an estimated investment of US$300–350 million.
"We are putting up a recyclable PET plant. After putting that plant, imports will reduce substantially, and we will be exporting to other countries from here," Jaipuria said.
Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Ndlovu said the project strengthens linkages with local farmers supplying raw materials, while also supporting small-scale traders and rural distribution networks.
The juice and dairy facility is expected to begin production later this year, creating additional demand for dairy farmers, fruit growers and transport operators.
The company says strong early demand for locally produced Cheetos highlights Zimbabwe's potential to become a regional manufacturing hub.
The development was praised by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who said the investment by Varun Beverages reflects growing confidence in Zimbabwe's economy.
"The added US$20 million investment by Varun Beverages marks industrial diversification, creation of employment opportunities for our people and manufacturing sector integration into both regional and global value chains," Mnangagwa said at the launch.
The president noted that the company has expanded significantly over the past eight years, growing from a single production line producing about 10 million bottles per month to six lines with capacity reaching nearly 120 million bottles monthly.
The operation now directly employs around 2,000 people and supports an estimated 13,000 indirect jobs across logistics, retail, distribution and agriculture-linked value chains.
He said a 130MW green energy project has already started in Matobo, with an estimated investment of US$300–350 million.
"We are putting up a recyclable PET plant. After putting that plant, imports will reduce substantially, and we will be exporting to other countries from here," Jaipuria said.
Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Ndlovu said the project strengthens linkages with local farmers supplying raw materials, while also supporting small-scale traders and rural distribution networks.
The juice and dairy facility is expected to begin production later this year, creating additional demand for dairy farmers, fruit growers and transport operators.
The company says strong early demand for locally produced Cheetos highlights Zimbabwe's potential to become a regional manufacturing hub.
Source - newsday
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