Amatheon Agri Zambia started commercial farming in Mumbwa District, Zambia, in 2011. Later, we also set up an outgrower programme with small farmers. The company has now developed 3,000 hectares for rain-fed and irrigated farming. Quinoa is a recent addition to the crop portfolio, grown since 2019. Besides quinoa, we grow chia seeds, moringa, teff, sesame seeds and maize.
We believe our Zambian quinoa has unique benefits:
- A new origin for quinoa with fertile land and suitable climate for growing quinoa;
- African resources are combined with modern management and capital;
- Integration of production and processing guarantees traceability;
- High standards for foodsafety and quality;
- Social impact is our mission and reported on in detail according to UN Global Compact;
- German headquarters and European agent provide easy communication and reliability;
- Large and reliable volume;
- Commitment to building strong customer relationships.
German headquarters
Amatheon Agri is a European food company, with headquarters in Berlin and operations in Sub-Saharan Africa. The company is active in farming, processing and trading. As an anchor investor in rural areas, it aims to uplift neighbouring communities economically, socially and environmentally.
You can find a company video here.
In 2015, Amatheon entered a Joint Venture with the Toyota Tsusho Corporation – the trading arm of the renowned Toyota Group. This is an important source of finance for our activities. The farming project includes the development of 2,700 hectares of land and the construction of a dam for irrigation.
Combining large-scale and small-scale farming
Sustainable development and strong community relations are corner stones of Amatheon’s mission. Our vision is to be an anchor investor, linking neighbouring communities to markets. The large-scale farm thus becomes the nucleus to trade with thousands of small-scale farmers, who participate in the Outgrower Programme. The combination increases the trading volume and, for the community, it stimulates productivity and diversifies sources of income. The Outgrower Programme provides farmers with seeds and trains them in quinoa cultivation according to principles of conservation farming. It buys grain with guaranteed offtake, and facilitates credit.
Production process
Our quinoa is low in saponine and therefore does not require washing, as they do in South-America. The flow chart is shown below.
Social impact of Zambian quinoa
- Network of 2,000 smallholder farmers growing quinoa, who can boost their productivity through access to knowledge and markets
- Support of rural healthcare – infrastructure improvements at four health centres and training of workers and volunteers
- Support of rural education – provision of classroom furniture, building nutrition gardens at schools, building classroom blocks and teacher’s houses
- Road rehabilitation – developing or rehabilitating rural roads, and advocating for additional infrastructure at regional, national and international levels
- Employment – around 95% of staff are nationals, and high percentage from nearby villages
- Environmental and Social Sustainability Committee – established this committee to enable systematic two-way communication between management and community
Food safety and quality
Amatheon Trading GmbH in Germany holds the IFS Broker certificate. Products procured from Germany therefore carry the IFS logo, whereas products procured directly from Zambia are HACCP certified.
Good Manufacturing Practices are the foundation for quality and safety management. The next essential step is the HACCP system, which controls risks specific to the product. We monitor key quality and safety parameters regularly and test in accredited laboratories when necessary.
Besides these systems, vertical integration is an important asset for the company’s compliance management. For the production on its own land, the company controls the use of pesticides directly. For the product procured from smallholders, the close relationship forged in the Outgrower Programme helps to mitigate risks. The company trains farmers in agricultural management and the use of appropriate inputs.
Excellent growing conditions
The number and length of Growth Degree Days, temperatures and the rainfall pattern make Zambia well-suited for growing quinoa. We introduced the crop in 2019 with positive results. In the first year, we did a smaller trial of white quinoa with the variety Vikinga. In 2020 we expect a large harvest, half of which will come from smallholders. Part of this is certified organic.
Logistics
Amatheon ships sea containers from Beira port, Mozambique, which connects to other international sea ports. On average, Beira has two vessels per month to European ports. The delivery time from farm to Europe is 48-62 days, depending on the booking. Amatheon Agri also holds some stock in Germany, thus allowing prompt delivery to customers.
Shipping terms and packing options
Customers generally buy full container loads of 20 tons, either as Free on Board Beira in Mozambique (FOB Beira) or delivered to the destination port, using the CFR (Cost and Freight) or CIF (Cost Insurance Freight) term. We can also supply by truck from a German warehouse, using the EXW (Ex-Works) and other terms for inland delivery. We pack in 25 kg polypropylene (PP) or multilayer paper bags. Feel free to propose other options.
Check out our videos for first-hand experience of Zambian operations
The first video of 2.23 minutes presents Amatheon’s view on the supply chain and vertical integration. The second video of 11:23 minutes gives detailed insight in Amatheon’s social and economic impact in the region. It contains interviews with farmers, workers, company managers and the government authorities in the districts of operation.
Order now or request more information
Mercadero supports Amatheon’s European sales and marketing. The minimum order for product offered from Germany is one ton and for importing from origin 20 tons is the most economic quantity. Please contact us for more information or a quote.