Afrigather Miit Pandoliker’s path to co-founding of Luano Meals Firm shouldn’t be your typical entrepreneur’s story. He had acquired a comatose honey processing firm in 2019, however reworked it right into a thriving enterprise that now attracts large investments.
Earlier than he set foot within the honey enterprise, Miit was working a logistics firm. It was whereas delivering fertiliser to distant corners of Zambia, that he found an untapped alternative in honey.
Raised between Zambia and the U.S., Miit recognised one thing distinctive in regards to the honey market. Whereas honey is held in excessive regard within the U.S., in Zambia, it was underappreciated regardless of its abundance. Miit noticed potential—not simply to construct a profitable enterprise however to empower native farmers and foster sustainable improvement within the course of. This realisation marked the start of what would later turn into Luano Meals Firm.
The early days of Luano
When Miit Pandoliker bought the corporate in 2019, Luano was a far cry from the dynamic enterprise it’s at this time. The corporate’s manufacturing facility was shut down and saved in a container, amassing mud and lacking alternatives.
“The manufacturing facility was closed, and we needed to transfer every little thing to Lusaka (Zambia’s capital) simply to restart operations,” Miit remembers. His imaginative and prescient was daring, however the timing couldn’t have been worse.
As Luano was gearing as much as re-enter the market, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, disrupting international commerce and stalling the corporate’s export plans.
“COVID actually affected us. We had simply began, and we couldn’t journey to make offers,” says Miit. But, by willpower and resilience, Luano managed to push by. From simply two product strains at launch, the corporate has grown to 12, together with distinctive choices like infused honeys, honey barbecue sauce, and even a chocolate honey unfold.
Right now, Luano Meals Firm sources honey from small-scale Zambian farmers, selling regenerative agroforestry fashions to make sure sustainability. The corporate’s philosophy is obvious, creating worth for patrons with out exploiting the farmers who make the enterprise potential.
Luano doesn’t personal a single farm or beehive however as a substitute works hand-in-hand with native farmers, serving to them develop sustainable practices and guaranteeing they’re pretty compensated.
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Diversifying into Avocado processing
Whereas Luano has made its mark as a number one honey producer, the corporate is now poised for its subsequent part of development—avocado processing.
“The potential for avocado in Zambia is big,” says Miit. By selling avocado cultivation alongside beehives, Luano is tapping right into a sustainable mannequin that helps each environmental biodiversity and native economies. The corporate is not only processing avocados but additionally serving to farmers discover alternatives like carbon credit for his or her tree crops, offering them with long-term monetary stability.
With latest funding from enterprise capital agency wCap, Luano is increasing its attain even additional. The funding can be used to accumulate an avocado oil processing facility, marking a major milestone within the firm’s diversification technique.
“It’s an thrilling time for us. We’re not simply rising Luano; we’re creating an ecosystem the place farmers and the setting thrive collectively,” Miit Pandoliker explains.
Breaking into international markets
Increasing into new markets isn’t any small feat, notably for a Zambian-based firm. The challenges are multifaceted. Zambia’s landlocked geography provides to export prices, and up to date energy crises brought on by drought have additional strained operations.
But, Miit has discovered methods to navigate these obstacles, pushed by his perception within the potential of Zambian agriculture on the worldwide stage.
“Our merchandise are already obtainable in main retailers throughout Zambia, and we’ve not too long ago expanded into South Africa by way of Takealot.com,” Miit shares.
However the journey doesn’t cease there. Luano is making strategic strikes to enter the U.S. retail market by year-end, with additional plans to broaden into the UK and the Center East within the first quarter of subsequent 12 months.
“We’re targeted on creating value-added merchandise, like honey-based wellness gadgets, that resonate with international shoppers,” Miit provides.
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Classes realized and looking out ahead
For Miit, the street to success has been stuffed with classes—each private {and professional}. Probably the most vital has been the significance of staying adaptable within the face of adversity.
“The early days have been robust, and we didn’t have the posh of time. However I’ve realized that setbacks are a part of the journey, and it’s the way you reply to them that issues,” he displays.
He additionally emphasises the significance of constructing a enterprise with objective. By fostering long-term relationships with native farmers and inspiring agroforestry fashions, Miit Pandoliker is setting a brand new normal for what agribusiness can obtain in Africa.
As Luano seems to the long run, Miit is obvious about his imaginative and prescient. “We wish to be greater than only a meals firm. We’re right here to make a distinction—not just for our shoppers however for the communities we work with.”
He provides: “We’re not simply constructing a enterprise. We’re constructing a future the place everybody advantages.” It’s this forward-thinking strategy that continues to drive Luano’s success, and there’s little doubt that Miit Pandoliker’s impression on Zambia’s agribusiness panorama can be felt for years to come back.
