Key Success Factors
Zambeef’s vision and strategy is to be the most accessible and affordable quality protein provider in the region
and to increase the efficiency and capacity of its primary production facilities. Zambeef has been able to
overcome some of the challenges facing agriculture as a business in Africa by continuously pursuing a vertically
integrated business model (farm to fork). The company integrated its operations through acquisition and
expansion of existing operations, which has also increased its efficiency in the delivery of products to end users
who prefer fresh agricultural produce due to lack of basic amenities such as electricity and storage facilities.
This strategy has significantly reduced the Zambeef’s risk profile by allowing it to supply its own processing
divisions with the required raw materials and to sell the finished products directly to the end consumer through
its extensive retail networks reducing high distribution costs caused by poor transportation networks. Zambeef
has one of the leading distribution and retail footprints in Zambia, which currently consists of 91 retail outlets,
three wholesale centers, six fast food outlets, and 20 Shoprite butcheries. The vertically integrated model offers
a significant ability to control production and distribution processes and costs. Zambeef also guards itself from
price risk fluctuations related to input because most of the inputs used are self-produced. The unused materials,
such as soya bean cake or cattle hides from other production activities, are processed as inputs for further value
adding processes within the company. While producing the edible oil from soy bean, the soy bean cakes are a
source of feed meal, which is the primary ingredient used in livestock feed production.