Angolans had long been dependent on purchasing expensive imported foods.

However, one company has broken away from the trend ever since 1994. Giasop, an Angola-based company, has embarked on a mission to transform national agricultural food production.

It was a brave move to start the company 18 years ago, but the gamble appears to have paid off. Investments and development remain a high priority for the company that holds a strong market position.

Giasop concentrates on providing much needed products for Angolans.

Starting with sustainable fruit cultivation to produce its own fruit juices, Giasop planted many acres of fruit trees.

But the company chairman, Tambwe Mukaz, said, "Once we started fruit juice production we could not grow enough fruit to organize the purchasing side of the business and could not buy enough products from local farmers."

This led to the creation of the Amboim Natural brand that operated a major juice factory.

Situated in the Porto Amboim region, the plant holds a capacity to process 5 tons of fruit per hour with two bottling facilities that reach a capacity of 24,000 liters of juice each day. In a country where such industrialization of the food industry had previously been morose, this seems to be impressive figures.

Veterinary-trained Mukaz latches on to a close affiliation with the countryside and can judge how to deal with farmers and consumers. He is a businessman looking to expand the company.

"We get many requests from retailers, but we can't provide for everybody, although we plan to increase production levels. We are proud of the Amboim Natural brand," he said.

Growth could also come from other areas. Having moved into milk production, the company produces 10,000 liters a day along with the production of yogurt, cheese and butter.

Giasop has enjoyed much success at cattle breeding. The company created a hybrid breed called Bramuco that is made up of a South African Brahman breed and a native Mucubal breed that could provide high-quality meat at low prices.

When asked about opportunities for Chinese investors, Mukaz said they should keep in mind that Angola has plenty of land and the natural conditions are conducive for successful agricultural production. If a partner could bring the right technology then that could create mutually beneficial relationships for everyone.

(China Daily 02/29/2012 page28)