Published: 10 August 2017

The local baking industry is dominated by three large bakeries which have impacted negatively on the viability of smaller institutions forcing 93 bakeries to close shop in the last two years.

The National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe National Report presented to the Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Mike Bimha states that large bakeries have 95 percent of the market share with only three bakeries dominating the industry.

National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe chairman Mr Ngoni Mazango said the industry is currently operating between 50 and 60 percent owing to a number of challenges ranging from obsolete equipment to unavailability of funding.

Dr Bimha said there is need for sector specific solutions to ensure that small bakeries have their fair share of the market, adding that the command wheat programme is complementing the baking industry efforts.

The report also notes that a number of challenges continue to hamper the growth of the industry such as liquidity constraints, shortage of foreign exchange, the removal of wheat from general import licence and lack of adequate infrastructure.
- zbc