Concerns related to biosecurity of agricultural products have led to Beira Corridor stakeholders joining forces to create the Tobacco Beetle Taskforce to monitor and reduce this threat through the supply chain. The taskforce comprises the port concessionaire, Cornelder de Moçambique, tobacco depots and agents, shipping lines and fumigators. It meets regularly to discuss shipment infestation status and integrated preventative measures which serve to ensure healthy tobacco through the logistics chain along the corridor. Confidence in Beira's tobacco handling capacity saw volumes exceed 230 000 million tonnes in 2019 with the volumes from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique contributing to the numbers. As of June this year, Zimbabwe, the primary producer at regional level, has increased volumes through Beira by over 70%, demonstrating its confidence in the port.“A key concern with tobacco is biosecurity, especially around tobacco beetle infestation,” said Tendai Gumbo, HSSE manager at Cornelder de Moçambique which approaches risk management for the logistics sector holistically.“This means that companies cannot attempt to minimise or mitigate risk on their own; instead they need to look at the myriad stakeholders involved in the logistics chain and address it together.”High-value commodities are the backbone of the southern African regional economy, and as such the opportunities are plentiful for those who are able to provide efficient and quality logistics. Dealing with risk is therefore of critical importance.”
