The product lines which include smaller sachets of Cremora, Cerevita, Cerelac and Everyday milky tea and are priced below 0.50c are also fortified with various nutrients such as iron and zinc.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Ambassador Huber thanked Nestlé for its good work in Zimbabwe and particularly its commitment to supporting sustainable livelihoods among smallholder farmers who they are financing, training and providing a ready market for their milk.
“I am proud to witness Nestlé’s valuable contribution to increasing production and reinforcing its footprint in Zimbabwe. Nestlé is contributing in a very important way to the livelihoods of many Zimbabweans through empowerment programmes such as the Nestlé Dairy Scheme with smallholder farmers and its contribution towards job creation and the growth of the country’s economy,” said Ambassador Huber.
The minister of Industry and Commerce, Mike Bimha also noted that Nestlé has made great progress in technological advancements, evidenced by the commissioning of the upgraded and refurbished milk and creamers production plant to international standards in December 2015, a positive step in their capital investment journey that started in 2011.
“You have managed to maintain the growth momentum and today we are celebrating once again Nestle’s capital investment journey by officially commissioning filling and packaging machinery for affordable products,” the minister said.
Minister Bimha said the new product range was an exciting development, not only for Nestlé Zimbabwe’s leading drive to grow its footprint in the country, but for the company’s role in contributing to employment and job creation along the entire value chain from farmers to industry.
Nestlé Zimbabwe managing director, Mr. Ben Ndiaye said the commissioning of the new affordable products lines apart from serving the local market, were also targeted at exploiting opportunities in the regional markets.
Nestlé has been operating in Zimbabwe for the past 58 years and is the largest Swiss company present in Zimbabwe.
