Botswana’s Largest Established Vegetable Producer – expansion
- Wendy de la Harpe
- Feb 15, 2021
- 1 min read
Established in 2010 – expanded to +8,000ha of freehold land under management across 3 farms producing vegetables and lucerne / grazing land enabling all year round production
Exceptional revenue growth over the past years:
Annual turnover of $24.5m (BWP 270m)
2019 Revenue of $4.25m (BWP47m)
2019 EBITDA of $994k (BWP11m)
Asset base of $21m (+BWP232m)
Main crops are potatoes, butternut, tomatoes, green peppers, beetroot and carrots, other crops include onions and maize for crop rotational purposes
Now occupying an estimated +40% market share of local supply chain of potatoes and carrots
Currently employing +300 people fulltime and 150 seasonal workers
Main customers are local retail chain stores who buy in bulk and vendors who pay by cash. Main retail customers include Spar, Choppies, MrVeg, Shoprite, Woolworths, Veggieland, Saverite
All produce is sold in branded packaging material
Irrigation water supply is being sourced from the Limpopo River and Shashe River
Use of Funds:
Settle long term loans with local commercial banks - this will release bond secured on assets by these institutions
Acquisition of moveable and non-moveable assets
Working capital for farms under production
Location: Sherwood, Tuli Block, Botswana (close to SA border)
Funding Required: $14 million for its Phase 2 Expansion capital needs
Preferred instrument: Pure debt finance, bullet repayment with a refinancing option.
Collateral offered to the guarantor: Freehold Zoned Farmland with a market value of $16.3m (+BWP 180 million)
Note: US$3 million investment from local DFI now confirmed
Your article on Botswana’s established vegetable producer and its expansion highlights the importance of agricultural growth, local production, and market opportunities. I appreciate the focus on how expanding productive capacity can contribute to food security, employment, and economic development. An advanced management course & workshop for managers in Gaborone, Botswana, could provide useful perspectives on scaling operations, managing resources, and strengthening organizational performance. This is an encouraging example of Botswana’s agricultural potential and expanding commercial opportunities.
I would like to read this amazing article! Botswana's largest established vegetable producer expanding operations is a significant signal of growing confidence in the country's agricultural sector — scaling food production at this level demands organizational complexity, supply chain mastery, and leadership depth that goes far beyond farming expertise alone. For executives managing growth at that scale, the advanced management seminar & course for executives in Gaborone, Botswana offers the organizational frameworks and strategic leadership tools needed to navigate expansion with genuine operational precision and long-term sustainability.