Value chain analysis in the citrus agro-processing industry: A case study of the orange value chain process at Mazoe Citrus Estates in 2015
Abstract
Value Chain Analysis (VCA) has of late gained momentum in the agro processing
industry in Zimbabwe. Production of citrus fruits is seasonal and the fruits are perishable
in nature, hence citrus producers need to have a ready market to deliver their fruits before
they go bad at a good price since the fruits cannot be harvested throughout the year. This
research sought to analyse the value chain of oranges in Zimbabwe by identifying and
mapping the value adding activities and processes that can be undertaken as well as
identifying value added at each processing stage that the oranges pass through. A case
study approach was undertaken for this research to map the oranges value chain as well as
identifying the value added at each stage. Secondary data collection methods were used to
collect the data. Collected data was analysed and presented using both qualitative and
quantitative techniques. Findings revealed the value adding activities in processing
oranges which were used as the basis for value chain mappings. Value added at each
processing stage was identified through a careful analysis of the inbound and outbound
values of oranges at each processing stage. Oranges gained value through washing and
packing. The farm gate price is $0.10 per kg, after grading and packing the oranges were
valued at $2.50 per kg. The study recommended that orange peels which are a by-product
of processing oranges can undergo further additional value adding activities in the
production of stock feeds enabling the organisation to gain more value
Collections
- Department of Economics [396]