Tanzania & Zambia: Tanzania Breweries starts exports to Zambia, plans further expansion

Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL) has started exporting its beer brands to Zambia, thanks to its new $55 million Mbeya brewery, The Citizen communicated on April, 6.

The company’s Mbeya plant manager, Mr Calvin Msuya, said recently that TBL dispatched some 1,500 cases of Castle lager beer (500 ml) to Zambia. He said the beer was produced on February 28, 2011 at TBL Mbeya Brewery, which has six months shelf life.

“The beer, produced on February 28, 2011, left the brewery on March 31, 2011 on truck number T178 BNU, trailer No. T622 AMZ,” he said, attributing the move to the growth of regional trade within Sadc (Southern African Development Community) member states. The company is also exporting its beer brands to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

TBL is already exporting beer to East African Community (EAC) member states of Kenyan and Uganda. Tanzania belongs to both Sadc and EAC trade blocs. Recently, TBL's sales and distribution director, Mr Nicholas Brooks, said his company was looking forward to start selling its products in the Great Lakes Region and overseas. “It's something we are looking at and it may start this year if all goes well," he said recently.

The company builds its reputation on brands such as Kilimanjaro and Safari Lager. TBL is part of SABMiller, which is the world's second largest brewer.

According to TBL marketing director, Mr David Minja, plans are underway for the company to launch a new product that will be consumed by low income earners, noting however that extra efforts will also be put in place to strengthen its existing brands. The new brand will be known as Eagle Lager and would be sold at an affordable price.

08 April, 2011