Hippo Valley Estates and Triangle Limited Reassure Zimbabweans on Sugar Supply, Pricing, and Quality

Hippo Valley Estates Limited and Triangle Limited, Zimbabwe’s two largest sugar producers, have moved to reassure the public that the country’s sugar supply remains stable and well-managed amid concerns about availability, pricing, and quality.

In a statement released yesterday, company spokesperson Dr Dahlia Garwe confirmed that the local market is adequately supplied and that production is progressing smoothly. During the previous season, the two producers recorded a combined output of 440,000 tonnes of sugar and carried 84,600 tonnes into the current season, which commenced in April.

“There was more than adequate sugar to meet domestic requirements,” said Dr Garwe. “We are crushing ahead of target and expect to end the season in a very comfortable surplus position.”

Zimbabwe’s annual sugar consumption typically falls between 320,000 and 360,000 tonnes. Dr Garwe emphasized that while any excess is exported, fulfilling local demand remains the top priority for both companies.

Addressing claims about the quality of locally produced sugar, Dr Garwe stated that Hippo Valley Estates and Triangle Limited are fully committed to maintaining global standards. She highlighted that their table sugar is fortified with Vitamin A, offering a nutritional advantage over unfortified alternatives on the market.

“All our table sugar is fortified with Vitamin A, unlike other brands available on the market,” she said. “We adhere to international certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 22000, and FSSC 22000, and enforce strict quality control from field to packaging.”

Regarding pricing, Dr Garwe acknowledged that cost pressures remain a challenge, citing rising energy costs, expensive logistics, and high borrowing rates as contributing factors to production costs.

“The cost of production is elevated because of high energy, borrowing, logistics, and other operational challenges,” she explained. “Despite that, we are committed to delivering quality products at competitive prices.”

Dr Garwe reiterated that both Hippo Valley Estates and Triangle Limited remain focused on ensuring consistent supply, upholding product safety, and maintaining operations in the face of economic headwinds. With a strong start to the current season and surplus production expected, the companies are confident that Zimbabwean consumers can continue to rely on locally produced sugar.