SINGAPORE — After recently announcing plans to construct a new pasta production facility and expand its wheat flour production capacity in Ghana, Olam Agri said it is looking at further expansion in Mozambique and other Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries. 

Consumption of wheat-based products in Mozambique has increased significantly over the past two decades, almost tripling since the early 2000s, with annual wheat consumption reaching 700,000 tonnes. The country is a gateway to SADC countries as it shares a border with Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Eswatini.

“Mozambique’s strategic geographical location in SADC and its own increasing demand for wheat products and pasta are key drivers for our ambitions to establish wheat milling and pasta production in the country,” said Mallikarjun Hiremath, Olam Agri’s senior vice president, Grains. “With our global footprint in food and agriculture supply chains, our 34 years successfully operating in Africa, and with strong operations at the three main ports of Maputo in the south, Beira in the center and Nacala in the north, we are well placed to serve the wheat and pasta needs of Mozambique and SADC countries. We are actively looking at setting up wheat milling and pasta plants in all three main ports in Maputo, Beira and Nacala.”

Olam Agri, which has operated in Mozambique for the past 25 years, has a strong presence across all 11 provinces with operations in Maputo, Beira and Nacala, where the main ports are situated. The company is a leading distributor of edible oils and rice in the country and is aligned with national efforts to improve food security.

An expansion into wheat milling and pasta production would be adding value to local processing capabilities, the Singapore-based company said.  

Olam Agri’s footprint in Africa in wheat milling and pasta production has expanded over the past 14 years. It produces wheat flour in Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal with domestic distribution in those markets and exports to Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso Chad, Central African Republic, Mali and Guinea. The company produces pasta in Nigeria for domestic retail consumption under a stable of consumer brands such as Mama Gold, Crown Premium, First Choice and Bijou.

“Olam Agri is known for its capabilities in global sourcing and origination, processing and manufacturing as well as end-distribution of wheat flour and pasta,” said Saurabh Mehra, Olam Agri’s global managing director for Processing & Value Add. “Our expertise in wheat milling operations, consumer insights and on-the-ground network has allowed us to effectively serve consumer and business customers. We see significant long-term opportunities in Mozambique and SADC countries and will continue to explore all avenues to build a presence in these markets.”

Founded over 30 years ago, Olam Agri started operations in Nigeria and has expanded into six continents to become one of the world’s leading agribusiness companies. It processes grains and oilseeds and produces animal feed, edible oils and other food and industrial products.