Zega grows clearing arm

With the cost of aviation fuel
having made much of Zambia’s
fruit and vegetable exports
uncompetitive, Zega is growing
its clearing arm and branching
out from its original focus on
perishable exports.
“We have always been a
clearing agent,” says managing
director Don MacDonald, who
is applying fresh thinking to the
company that was established
in 1984 as the Zambia Export
Growers’ Association.
It has since evolved to
become a ground handler and
warehouse operator based next
to the runway at the Lusaka
International Airport.
Zega is the official ground
handler for South African
Airways and British Airways,
with its staff manning the
check-in desks, as well as
managing the loading and
unloading of air cargo.
According to MacDonald,
Zega has equipment “to handle
any type of cargo”.
With a drop in perishable
exports, the warehouse is being
used for secure storage of highvalue
and delicate electronic
goods, amongst other cargo.
The warehouse includes a
bonded facility.
“We estimate that we handle
up to 85% of the air cargo
imported into Zambia, and
are diversifying by providing
our clearing and forwarding
services for those cargo owners
as well.”
The company will also
arrange for pick-ups and
deliveries to and from the
airport, which is some way out
of the city centre.
“Our idea is to offer a one
stop shop,” he says.
Zega also wants to grow the
export of non-perishables.
“We are moving away
from our traditional focus on
perishables and looking at other
exports, such as precious metals
and machine components
being sent out by the mines for
refurbishment and repair,” he
says.
But, he adds, Zega has not
outgrown its original client
base and will continue to
export perishables – a market
that shows fresh signs of
revitalisation, he says.
Higher costs due to rising
aviation fuel prices have
meant that Zambian growers
of flowers and vegetables lost
market share to those in Kenya
and Uganda, who are closer to
the European market.
However, in recent months
exports have started increasing,
but with a shift in the market
to South Africa and other
countries in the region.