Abstract:

The food processing sector is considered by the government of Mozambique (GoM) as one of the priority areas for development within the national economy. This is based on the belief that the sector is capable of rapid growth, contributing significant added value to the country's agricultural products. In 1991, production within the food processing sector represented 9.2% of national production. The most important processed food products are beer, sugar, processed cashew nuts, carbonated soft drinks, tea, frozen shrimps, maize meal, wheat flour, cooking oil and bread. Beverage production in 1997 represented 50% of total processed food production. Imports of agricultural and processed food products represented only 25% of the country's imports in 1997. Cereals were the main products imported (11%). Exports of agricultural and processed food products represented 72% of total country exports in 1997. Fish and crustaceans were the main products exported (36%) followed by cashew nuts and cereals. The small-scale processing sector is mainly represented by bakeries and maize mills (hammer mills). These enterprises operate throughout the country. The small-scale processing companies in Mozambique are majority owned by Mozambican nationals. Generally, owners manage their companies directly. Each company employs an average of 20 workers. Women are usually not greatly involved in food processing activities, with the exception of the cashew nut industry. Low- to medium-level technology is used in most small-scale food processing enterprises (SFPEs), and the majority of the workers are unskilled. However, those small-scale enterprises producing goods for export (i.e. processed fish and cashew nuts) use medium- to high-level technologies.