Olam Agri to expand wheat milling and pasta production in Mozambique

MOZAMBIQUE – Olam Agri, a leading global agribusiness company, is set to expand its operations in Mozambique by establishing wheat milling and pasta production facilities.

Olam Agri’s expansion into Mozambique, which has been operating in the country for over 25 years, is part of a broader strategy to tap into the growing demand for wheat-based products across Africa and leveraging its strategic location to serve the broader Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region.  

According to Saurabh Mehra, Olam Agri’s Global Managing Director for Processing & Value Add, the company’s expertise in sourcing, processing, and distribution gives it a competitive edge in meeting consumer needs in the region.

“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,” Mehra added.

Mozambique’s strategic location and growing demand for wheat and pasta products make it an attractive market for Olam Agri.

This announcement follows Olam Agri’s recent plans to build a new pasta production facility and expand its wheat flour production capacity in Ghana.

Mozambique’s wheat consumption has tripled over the past two decades, reaching approximately 700,000 tonnes annually.

This significant increase has positioned the country as a key player in the SADC region, which includes countries such as Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini. Olam Agri’s expansion plans aim to meet the growing domestic demand while using Mozambique as a gateway to serve neighboring countries.

“Mozambique’s strategic geographical location in SADC and its own increasing demand for wheat products and pasta are key drivers for our ambitions,” said Mallikarjun Hiremath, Olam Agri’s Senior Vice President for Grains.

He emphasized the company’s intention to set up operations at Mozambique’s three main ports: Maputo in the south, Beira in the center, and Nacala in the north. These locations will enable efficient distribution within Mozambique and to neighboring SADC nations.

Olam Agri has a strong foothold in Mozambique, operating in all 11 provinces and being a key distributor of edible oils and rice.

This solid infrastructure positions the company well to expand into wheat milling and pasta production.

Olam Agri currently produces wheat flour in Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, with both domestic distribution and exports to neighboring countries like Benin, Togo, and Burkina Faso.

The company has a well-established presence in Africa’s wheat milling and pasta production sectors, having expanded these operations over the last 14 years.

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