Shoprite opens export opportunity for Malawi farmers

Mushroom farmers can now afford a smile following Shoprite’s decision to start buying oyster mushroom from members of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (Nasme).

In a statement, Nasme national executive coordinator, William Mwale, said the organisation is excited to be one of the major suppliers of fresh foods to the international chain of retail supermarkets in Africa.

“The acceptance of Shoprite management to allow Malawi micro and smallholder farming women entrepreneurs to supply oyster mushroom shows the confidence, trust and patriotism as a stakeholder in the promotion of local enterprises,” reads the statement in part.

The statement says Nasme women entrepreneurs are highly motivated with Shoprite’s offer as this opens an export window for them.

Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) president Felix Jumbe commended Shoprite for opening the opportunity to Nasme, saying this only shows that when products are of high quality they can be sold anywhere in, the world.

“This is encouraging, especially to Nasme farmers, to produce more crops for the export market,” he said.

Minister of Industry and Trade John Bande commended Shoprite and urged other international supermarkets in the country to emulate the example.