History
The Heart of Zambia’s Palm Oil Production
Heritage
Our History
Zampalm Limited “Zampalm” was incorporated in 2008 following Zambeef Plc’s acquisition of Zamanita Limited to develop an oil palm plantation and an Oil mill in Zambia for the sole purpose of producing crude palm oil (a major ingredient in manufacturing vegetable cooking oil). In 2017, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) acquired 90% stake through shareholder agreement while the 10% remained with Zambeef.
The primary output of the plantation is ripe Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) which is processed to produce Crude Palm Oil (CPO). The processing of the FFB is done at the Zampalm Oil Mill located in the Plantation.
The Plantation is in Kanchibiya district, Muchinga province. Zampalm owns 20,238 hectares. A total of 3,864 hectares is under oil palm cultivation and 1,100 hectares is under out-grower scheme managed by Oil Palm Out-Growers Company (OPOC).
progress
Historical Development
2008
Incorporation of Zampalm
Zampalm was incorporated (following Zambeef Plc’s acquisition of Zamanita Limited) to develop an oil palm plantation and oil mill in Zambia.
2009
Land acquisition and initial planting
Planting begins; land acquisition and early development of plantation under Zambeef
2011 - 2013
Progressive expansion and nursery operations
Progressive planting of hectares of palm: e.g. 272 ha in 2011, 1,300 ha in 2012, 356 ha in 2013. Nursery/pre-nursery operations underway. Zampalm commissions a US$1 million crushing/processing plant (mill) capable of 2-3 tonnes fresh fruit bunches per hour.
2016
IDC acquisition agreement
Ownership change agreement: In September 2017, IDC agrees to buy 90% of Zampalm from Zambeef for US$16 million (deal announced).
2017
Commercial production begins
Zampalm hits commercial production. Palm oil and processing begin operating fully.
2018
IDC ownership finalized and out-grower scheme launched
The share sale from Zambeef to Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is completed: IDC takes 90% ownership. An initial out-grower scheme begins attracting smallholder farmers; also government injecting support (e.g., K1 million) into the out-grower scheme in the 2018/2019 season
2019
Out-grower scheme expansion
The out-grower scheme is officially commissioned with 500+ small-scale beneficiaries; operations expand.
2021
Expansion of planted area and long-term goals
As of 2021, Zampalm is expanding planted area (around 3,700 hectares, with about 2,000 hectares mature palms), and aiming to cultivate more via the out-grower scheme by 2025
2022
Continued growth and quality improvements
Zampalm’s capacity and quality of product noted; the out-grower scheme continues to grow
2023 - 2024
Updated figures and community concerns
Reports mention that as of 2021, planted area ~3,688.6 hectares with over 527,000 palm trees. Also notes about land ownership, community issues (evictions etc.) are raised