*National Foods to Increase Manufacturing Capacity with $22.7 Million Investment to Bolster Local Production* *By Hurumende News Hub* National Foods (NatFoods), Zimbabwe's leading food manufacturer, recently took an important step toward realising its strategy to add value to locally produced maize, wheat and soya bean products by opening new plants dedicated to pasta production, biscuit making and cereal manufacturing; marking another landmark achievement towards increasing local manufacturing while decreasing dependence on imported goods. National Foods' three plants, inaugurated in May 2025 and representing an investment of US$22.77 million, allow National Foods to move up the value chain while strengthening its position across a diverse portfolio of basic food products. National Foods' new facilities come at an important juncture for Zimbabwe, which has long relied upon imported foodstuffs, particularly pasta imports, totalling US$40 million per year. Now with their newly operational plant producing approximately 1,200 tonnes per month instead of having to import such large amounts, thus saving much-needed foreign currency and significantly cutting import bills for Zimbabweans. National Foods' new plant marks an initiative toward greater self-sufficiency, with production still falling below demand (around 3,500 tonnes per month) locally. Furthermore, this investment may reduce imports from South Africa and Zambia into the local market as the local capacity still falls short of demand. National Foods anticipates this demand will only increase over time and aims to meet it by producing quality, affordable, nutritious products for local consumers. Michael Lashbrook, Group CEO for LafargeHolcim Group LLC and national economy advocate for this investment to benefit both his company and national economies alike. According to him, these new plants represent "an ambitious step on our journey toward moving up the value chain and adding greater value to milled products", in addition to expanding market access for locally produced maize, wheat and soya bean crops essential to his operations. National Foods' efforts to expand local production capacities reflect its overall strategy to support import substitution, an integral element of Zimbabwe's economic recovery plan. By increasing domestic output, National Foods is decreasing foreign currency usage for products that could easily be made locally. National Foods' Lashbrook noted that, over the past five years, National Foods had made significant investments into both new and existing plant infrastructure, reaching US$50 million by mid-2025 - further evidence of National Foods' commitment to expanding production while simultaneously guaranteeing the long-term viability of operations. Lashbrook expressed confidence in the policies of Zimbabwe's Government and believes its investments would prove successful. As an agricultural nation, Zimbabwe makes sense in producing its own maize, wheat and soya beans before adding value to them through import tariffs or taxes. National Foods' investments include new plants as well as major upgrades in infrastructure - for instance, a US$4.4 million cereal extrusion facility and a US$6 million flour milling plant replacement in Bulawayo, intended to expand production capabilities and meet rising product demands. National Foods' strategic investments reflect their focus on driving economic growth by local production, creating jobs, and decreasing Zimbabwe's dependence on imports. With Zimbabwe continuing its efforts towards self-sufficiency, National Foods will play a vital role in meeting its goals through increased manufacturing capacity expansion. _*Follow Our News Channel:*_ https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaX77yH5fM5bBLKuyp1O