The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) and signatory countries of the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region, have immensely benefitted local companies to export their produce to Europe.
According to “Trade Success” a series on stories of entrepreneurs who benefit from EPA, one of the leading firms exporting horticultural products from Zimbabwe to the European Union, Ling flora Pvt Ltd have managed to expand its export and double its employees.
“Our exports to the EU allowed expanding the company and doubling its outgrower scheme in just 4 years! As the EPA guarantees Zimbabwe full and continued access to the EU market, it also paves the way to rethink our strategy towards diversification of our products,” acknowledged Mr Tatenda Karimazondo, the Managing Director of Lingflora Pvt Ltd.
Founded in 2018 and based in Gweru, Zimbabwe, the company produces around 400 tonnes of peas yearly. The company also produces beans, tomatoes, many varieties of flowers, avocadoes, chillies and maize. Lingflora doubled its employees from 150 employees at creation to 350 in 2022. It was also able to recruit 200 smallholder farmers, train them, provide technical assistance and support in marketing their products. The company plans to expand its outgrower scheme to at least 1000 smallholder farmers by 2024.
