Farmers promised reliable supply of quality chicks form Zambeef’s new broiler rearing, laying and hatching operation, Zamhatch.

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – The poultry industry in Zambia is set to enter a new era of growth following placement of the first broiler parent stock at Zambeef’s new multi-million dollar Zamhatch enterprise in Mpongwe this month.

Zamhatch is a joint venture between Zambeef and South Africa’s largest chicken producer, Rainbow Chicken. The operation will provide high quality day-old chicks to Zambian farmers through Zambeef’s extensive network of outlets countrywide by the middle of this year.

“Zambeef is putting its money where its mouth is and will be relying on the Zamhatch day-old chicks to supply Zamchick, our broiler rearing division” said Zambeef’s Joint Chief Executive Officer Francis Grogan.

Poultry farmers will have a reliable and consistent source of day-old chicks that will enable them to optimise yields and profitability to help form the basis of flourishing businesses.

Mr Grogan said: “One of the reasons why Zambeef founded Zamhatch was to provide high-quality broiler chicks to Zambia’s poultry farmers. Zambeef has always supported Zambian businesses and we want to see Zambian farmers succeed.”

The operation will also provide strong business opportunities for the farmers, who will be able to buy quality day-old chicks at competitive prices from Zambeef outlets and distributors throughout the country. Poultry feed from Zambeef’s Novatek stockfeed division will be offered for sale with the chicks, providing a one-stop shop for poultry entrepreneurs.

Zamhatch is expected to generate additional employment both in the Mpongwe area and at Zambeef’s poultry operations in Chisamba, as well as indirect employment through distributors.

Mr Grogan said: “The establishment of Zamhatch is in line with the group’s strategic integrated business model, aimed at reducing risk and earnings volatility and capturing margin throughout the value chain.”

Chicken and egg production accounted for around 9 per cent of Zambeef’s revenue in the financial year ending September 30, 2014. It produced 6.2 million broilers and 40 million eggs in 2014.

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About Zambeef Products Plc
Zambeef Products Plc is the largest integrated agribusinesses in Zambia.
The group is principally involved in the production, processing, distribution and retailing of beef, chicken, pork, milk, dairy products, eggs, stock feed and flour. The group also has large row cropping operations (principally maize, soya beans and wheat), with approximately 8,350 hectares of row crops under irrigation and 17,000 hectares of rain-fed/dry-land crops available for planting each year. The group is also in the process of rolling out its West Africa expansion in Nigeria and Ghana, as well as developing a palm project in Zambia.
It slaughters more than 80,000 beef cattle and 6 million chickens, and processes 8 million litres of milk per year. The company has 122 retail outlets throughout the country, along with three wholesale depots.
More information is available at www.zambeefplc.com.