A Malawian food-processing firm, Thanthwe is among exhibitors at the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show currently underway in New York, United States of America.
Speaking in an interview Thanthwe Managing Director Ngabaghila Chatata said the company is using the opportunity as a platform for launching a rebranded packaging of its products as it works towards expanding its export market.
“Our aim is to open export market opportunities for Malawian farmers and also import substitution at the local levels so that we can share a taste of the finest that Africa has to offer with the world,” she explained.
The Summer Fancy Food Show is in its 68th year and is one of the largest food events in the USA which attracts thousands of food makers, buyers, brokers, distributors and other industry players.
Thanthwe Farms is an innovative agribusiness venture that was established in 2013 with passion for home grown solutions in the agricultural sector.
“We have a number of products that we are producing like different herbal teas including Hibiscus Tea and Lemon grass, juices, fruit jam and spices like turmeric, rosemary and mint and dried fruit like mangoes,” said Chatata.
Thanthwe has other agriculture programmes including Thanthwe Acceleration and Incubation Centre (THAIC).
“THAIC was established to provide a range of services including skill development training in the area of agribusiness, business management and mentorship, coaching and business development services,” she said.
Thanthwe Farms has also introduced a line of rebranded organic teas which include Hibiscus and Lemon Detox, Ginger Health Boost, Mondia and Pineapple Antioxidant.
Meanwhile, National Planning Commission Thom Khanje has hailed Thanthwe Farms for participating in the Summer Food Show, saying it is in line with Malawi 2063 pillar number two which, among others, looks into issues of improved productivity.
He said: “We need to improve productivity, packaging and exports because it is through exports that we will improve our foreign reserves. So when we see companies like Thanthwe participating in such international events, it excites us because it is opening more markets for local products and we would like to encourage more local companies so that we penetrate the international market.”
