Mozbife has developed the Vanduzi Feedlot project, located near to Chimoio, Central Mozambique, in line with its strategy to become a vertically integrated beef producer.
Phase 1 of the project has been completed with the construction of a six pen line, with each pen having capacity for 160 cattle. This provides a rolling capacity of approximately 1,000 head every three months and a further six pen line is currently under construction in order to double total capacity.
Sales of cattle from the feedlot have commenced with volumes expected to increase as recent purchases move through the 90 day feedlot cycle. Slaughter dress out weight percentages have been between 58% and 63% and an average price of $835 per carcass has been achieved to date.
The Vanduzi Feedlot project also includes 700 hectares of land for crop plantation, which will be used to produce feed for the feeding pens. In addition, the bran by-product from the nearby Agriterra-owned DECA maize processing facility, is in part used as a feed supplement for the Vanduzi feedlot.
Beef consumption in Mozambique has been steadily rising and is forecast to continue to grow in the future as living standards across the country improve.