Tanzania Maltings CompanyLimited (TMCL) is planning to resume operations in Moshi, Kilimanjaro, in 2023 after pausing six years. The plant was many years in operations before it closed in 2017 due to a lack of sufficient local barley grown in the area. High water usage and electricity costs as well as outdated technology consuming too many resources prevented the plant from starting again.
Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL), the parent company of TMCL, will now install improved technology and plans to provide local farmers with the necessary support. “Drought, famine, and unpredictable weather patterns resulting from the effects of climate change brought about by global warming – it is usually not the farmer’s fault. That is why our company is moving in to offer support,” says Joel Msechu, Agriculatural Expert at TBL. He is visiting and inspecting pilot farming plots to help farmers achieving a higher and more reliable yield on their fields. TBL also works with insurance companies to help cushion farmers against drought losses.
TMC plans to double production of barley to about 25,000 tons in 2023 and about 30,000 tons one year later which is sufficient to run the malting plant economically and to limit imports of barley.
The malting plant has currently a production capacity of 15,000 tons of barley which is about 12,000 tons of malt. It will be increased in stages up to 18,000 tons and so forth until attaining 30,000 tons.
TBL is a Tanzania-based company owned by SABMiller Africa BV which in turn is part of the AB InBev, the world’s largest brewing group. The company is principally engaged in the production, distribution and sale of beer and alcoholic fruit beverages in Tanzania. It operates four breweries in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mbeya and Mwanza and thirteen depots throughout the country. Brands include Safari Lager, Kilimanjaro Premium Lager and Konyagi.
Besides beer, the company is involved in the production of wines, spirits and malt. Its subsidiaries include Kibo Breweries Limited, Tanzania Distilleries Limited, Mountainside Farms Limited and Tanzania Maltings CompanyLimited.
