WHAT WE DO

  • Provide an efficient and adequate air freight service to exports.
  • Co-ordinate the buying of inputs and the organisation of technical assistance under the EU Export Development Programme.
  • Advise on sources of finance.
  • Assist with information on marketing opportunities.
  • Lobby Government and other bodies on behalf of grower-exporters.
  • Provide technical support services and training to members.
  • The Zambia National Farmer’s Union (ZNFU) awarded ZEGA a Certificate of Merit for Excellent Performance.
  • The Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce  (ZACCI) awarded ZEGA the trophy for the Best Exporting Company.

 

 

EMPLOYMENT

ZEGA has around 50 paid up members, of whom 35 will be direct exporters. The sector directly employs about 12000 workers with excellent prospects for more employment opportunities throughout grower schemes and expansion of farm land under fresh horticulture produce.

 

ZEGA’s MOST POPULAR EXPORT VEGETABLES

The export product mix is split equally in terms of volume between cut-flowers and vegetables.
Speciality vegetables include baby corn, mange-tout (snow peas), fine beans, sugar, snaps, baby carrots, chillies, patti pans, okra and high value crops such as green asparagus.
Organic vegetables include mange-tout, sugar, snaps, fine beans, courgettes, carrots, shelling peas.

 

EXPORT ROSES

Of Zambia’s cut-flower exports, roses account for 95% of the production and there are over 55 varieties, whilst summer flowers such as Atriplex, Ammaranthus, Hypericum, Rudbekia, Euphorbia and Ammi-majus account for the remainder.
The rose industry sells most of its flowers in the Holland rose markets.

Types of roses grown and exported from Zambia:

  • Akito
  • Arabia
  • Arifa
  • Baronesse
  • Blue Curiosa
  • Calibra
  • Chelsea
  • Circus
  • Cream
  • Dani
  • Dream
  • Duo Unique
  • Enigma
  • Escada
  • Fashion
  • Femma
  • First Red
  • Flambe
  • Frisco
  • Golden Gate
  • Golden Times
  • Grand Gala
  • Ibiza
  • Ilseta
  • Jade
  • Jaguar
  • Jazz
  • Konfetti
  • Kora
  • Lambada
  • Maxime
  • Mercedes
  • Noblesse
  • Orange
  • Pailine
  • Poeme
  • Prophyta
  • Prophyta
  • Raphaela
  • Ravel
  • Red Calypso
  • Red Champ
  • Unique

 

ZEGA CODE OF CONDUCT

THE ZEGA CODE OF CONDUCT  is a ‘good business management’ tool that provides guidance to members and sets standards for the following:

  • Storage, use and disposal of pesticides
  • Worker welfare
  • Good agriculture practice and protection of the environment
  • Due diligence in the production, harvesting, grading and packaging of produce.

Standards prescribed in the ZEGA Code comply with the COLEACP ‘Harmonised Framework’ for codes in the region and are broadly similar to many of the European standards:  EUREP, ETI, MPS, BGI etc.

Compliance with the code is a condition of ZEGA membership.  Initially, members are allowed two years to implement the Code in full but interim targets are set and must be met.

Auditors visit export projects twice a year to check compliance with the Code and provide advice and guidance as necessary.  These auditors were employed by a local, independent organisation, the NRDC/ZEGA Training Trust and have been trained to audit Codes of Conduct by COLEACP.

Regional harmonisation of standards and procedures will be ensured by the utilisation of an international verification service.

Exporters have a positive attitude towards the ZEGA Code of Conduct and recognise that its implementation provides tangible evidence of the serious, professional and responsible nature of the horticulture and floriculture export industry in Zambia.

CODE OF PRACTICE

 

Exporters of fresh produce have to meet very high product quality standards if they are to compete in the market place.

In addition, it is becoming increasingly important to assure consumers that production in developing countries is ethical and responsible.

ZEGA instigated its own code of Practice to cover the areas of GAP and protection of the environment, human resource management and welfare of employees, vegetable and flower quality assurance and relationships with outgrowers.

Adherence to the Code is a requirement for membership and helps to ensure that good business practices are implemented.

This contributes to the promotion and protection of the reputation of Zambia in the international market place.

The Training Trust has played a central role in the development of the ZEGA Code and is responsible for auditing compliance by the ZEGA membership.

The Trust has also participated in the preparation of other regionally based Codes including a Code for Small Farmer Service Providers and the COLEACP Harmonised Framework for Codes of Practice in Southern and Eastern Africa and has provided training for auditors from the region.