Growing Mozambican retail market boosts volumes

Constant growth in the

volumes of fast moving

consumer goods and

foodstuffs being

imported mainly from South

Africa points to the increasing

spending power of Mozambican

consumers.

According to Tania Smit,

country manager of Röhlig-

Grindrod Limitada, the

company sees the growth in

the goods it handles for large

retail chains based in South

Africa.

Volumes are expected to

continue increasing as new

shopping centres are opened in

Matola, Maputo and elsewhere

in the country.

Improved efficiencies in the

ports of Beira and Maputo in

particular are also attracting

more cargo.

“Maputo is an attractive

option for Gauteng-based

companies, while Beira is now

offering a reliable service for the

hinterland,” she says.

Röhlig-

Grindrod

has seven

offices across

Mozambique,

from Nacala

in the north to

Maputo in the

south. They are

also represented

at all the ports

of entry either through own

offices or agents.

New facilities are opened

when required by clients. “We

are planning to open in Pemba

next year,” she says.

An office at the K4 Ressano

Garcia border post helps

facilitate the movement of

freight and handles the payment

of VAT and import duties.

“We pre-clear the load so the

final release is available when the

truck arrives

at the border,

reducing dwell

times to around

24 hours,” she

says.

The logistics

company also

handles transit

vehicles and

minerals that

are exported through the port of

Maputo.

Röhlig-Grindrod also offers

warehousing, contract logistics

and logistics planning to its

customers in Mozambique.

Exporters wanting to succeed in

Mozambique need to be supported

by a strong logistics company.

“There are challenges in doing

business in Mozambique,” she

says.

New legislation is

introduced at short notice,

and there are sometimes

diverse interpretations of the

regulations at different points of

entry and exit.

Having the power of a global

group behind it helps Röhlig-

Grindrod Mozambique to

smooth the way.

“Röhlig-Grindrod is a wellrecognised

brand, which makes

us easier for the Mozambican

authorities to deal with,” she

says.

The logistics company also

offers roadfreight and airfreight

with two weekly consolidations

out of Johannesburg into

Maputo and Beira.

INSERT & CAPTION

We are planning to open

in Pemba next year.

– Tania Smit