By Chiluba Chabi
United Capital Fertilizers Zambia (UCF) recently shipped 30,000 metric tons of NPK tobacco compound fertilizer to Tanzania for the upcoming 2023/2024 season.
This follows the company’s successful export of 15,000 metric tons of D compound fertilizer to Botswana last month, marking a promising trend in expanding regional exports.
During the flag-off ceremony in Lusaka, UCF’s Acting Board Chairperson, Joseph Mbinji, expressed confidence in the quality of their fertilizer and highlighted the company’s technical capacity to produce a wide range of compound fertilizers.
He announced that escalating regional demand has prompted the company to accelerate the construction of their compound fertilizer plant, which is now at 52% completion and expected to be commissioned in March 2024. This expansion aims to boost the annual compound fertilizer production to an impressive 800,000 tons.
Moreover, Mbinji disclosed that the construction of a urea plant is progressing as scheduled. By next year, the plant is set to produce 100,000 metric tons of urea, with future plans to reach 300,000 tons per annum by 2025. This strategic growth aligns with UCF’s goal to produce 1.5 million tons of fertilizer by 2028, positioning Southern Africa as a self-sufficient hub for fertilizer production.
General Mathew Mkingule, the Tanzania High Commissioner to Zambia, commended UCF and the Zambian government for facilitating this fertilizer trade, expressing hope for increased inter-African commerce.
Minister of Commerce, Trade, and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, emphasized the positive impact on the local market, noting a reduction in the cost of D compound fertilizer from K1,300 to K700. Mulenga urged Zambian citizens to embrace agriculture, highlighting the newfound affordability and availability of fertilizer, contributing value and foreign exchange to the nation.
As UCF’s exports continue to flourish, these developments mark a pivotal moment in regional agriculture, fostering economic growth and sustainable farming practices.
