Schweppes Holdings Africa Limited’s subsidiary, Sunrise Citrus Estates, intends to establish a 2,700 hectare citrus plantation in Beitbridge with the project expected to create thousands of jobs across the value chain. It is also envisaged that the proposed project will add impetus to Zimbabwe’s exports growth. An Environmental Impact Assessment is already underway.

In a joint statement, Sunrise Citrus Estates and African Sustainability Consultants said: “Sunrise Citrus Estates proposes to establish a citrus plantation in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe. The 2,700ha citrus plantation will create employment for local communities. The implementation of the project will enable the processing of juice for local and international markets as well as export of raw fruit.”

Recently, Schweppes Zimbabwe announced 100% acquisition of Beitbridge Juicing Company in a vertical integration move that saw the beverage producer strengthening its supply chain by taking control of a key raw material in the form of orange juice concentrate. At the time of the acquisition, BBJ supplied Schweppes Zimbabwe with 75% of the company’s orange juice requirements for Mazoe Orange Crush while the remainder is imported from South Africa.

Through the acquisition, it was hoped that the move would improve capacity utilisation at BBJ to enable Schweppes Zimbabwe obtain 100% of its juice, which is a key raw material for Mazoe Orange Crush, locally. The company is headquartered in Harare and the production plant is in Beitbridge close to the raw material which is oranges. Chronical.co.zw