The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) has noted that the fluctuating prices of farm produce on international markets has been the major hinderance for Zambian Farmers to export their products.
ZNFU Executive Director Ela Cheembe says products including cotton which is the major product that the country produces, tobacco, and varieties of fruits have the potential to be exported.
She has noted that cotton is currently exported raw but has great opportunities for value addition in an effort to export finished products.
Ms. Cheembe has cited fruits such as grapes and avocados which are already being demanded for outside the continent.
She has however advised farmers to export goods for profit purposes and not only because they are able to export, further noting the need to promote value addition.
“You know farmers, they’ll grow anything if there is a market and if they can make money out of it, so one has got to see how much money you are making in cotton, cause you know cotton is determined at world market levels, that’s where the price is determined.”