As part of ASNAPP’s continuous assessments in the fresh produce market, Zambia’s copperbelt has been identified as one of three ‘hot spots’. The other two are Tete (Mozambique) and Windhoek (Namibia).

Copperbelt

The Copperbelt is the central north province of landlocked Zambia, bordering the DRC. Historically an economically mining based region, it has seen waves of unemployment in response to fluctuations in mining fortunes.

Wealth generated from mining has made this province the most urbanised in the country with the 2^nd and 3^rd largest cities, but dependency on mining has rendered the area financially vulnerable to fluctuations in the world markets.

A mild climate, abundant water and land resources, and established infrastructure make agricultural development a potential diversification hedging strategy that could improve livelihoods and economic development in the region, especially considering the proximity of the province to DRC’s second largest city of Lubumbashi.

Challenges facing the Copperbelt

Horticulture	Transport
	Cheap power source
	Access to affordable low tech irrigation
	Cheap finance for farm development
	Lack of technical assistance and production information
	Improved varieties
	Seasonality (disease, water availability)
	Land ownership (no title deeds)
Formal retail sector	Transport costs
	Mixed loads
	Consistent reliable local supply
	Cheap produce in informal sector
Open air markets	Infrastructure (storage, refrigeration)
	Formalisation (ruling prices per kg, regulation)
	Post harvest handling of fresh produce
	Sanitation
	Price and volume volatility of fresh produce
	Producer and market communication
Informal exports	Formal Marketing Support services
	Weak regulatory and service support institutions
	Insufficient storage and post harvest quality systems
	Bureaucracy (long waiting times at border)

For further information on the assessment, please contact Agribusiness in Sustainable Natural African Plant Products (ASNAPP) South Africa on +27 (0)21 808 2919 or visit www.asnapp.org.za

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