Local farmers key to Bakhresa’s $500 million factory expansion

Dar es Salaam. Bakhresa Food Products Limited (BFPL), a subsidiary of the Bakhresa Group, has launched a major expansion of its soft drinks factory in Mwandege in the city, aiming to double production and meet growing demand.

The $500 million (approximately Sh1.3 trillion) investment will increase the factory’s daily output from 150,000 cartons to 300,000 cartons.

The project, spanning 17 hectares, is part of the company’s 50th anniversary celebrations and is expected to be completed next year.

“This expansion is a significant step towards meeting the growing demands of our customers,” said Mr Hussein Sufian, Bakhresa Group’s director of public relations.

As part of the expansion, the company has introduced a new juice brand for children—Tamtam—available in pineapple, orange, and mixed fruit flavours.

Mr Sufian emphasised Bakhresa’s strong commitment to the local economy, noting that the company sources its raw materials from around 100,000 local farmers through cooperative societies.

“We have a policy of using locally produced raw materials,” he said. “We urge farmers to grow the required fruit varieties and meet quality standards.”

BFPL’s Quality Officer, Mr Charles Haiyola, said the new machinery addresses earlier production shortfalls. “We previously produced 150,000 to 200,000 cartons daily. With this upgrade, we now reach 250,000 to 300,000 cartons,” he noted.

Mr Simon Alando, head of packaging and transportation, said Bakhresa’s products are sold both locally and internationally.

“We’re exporting to East and Central Africa, and recently shipped consignments to Yemen and Oman. Our international reach continues to expand,” he said.