By ETimes
HARARE – ARISTON Holdings expects tea production to rebound after a rain‑hit first quarter, with new harvesting equipment set to boost capacity in the months ahead.
The horticulture exporter indicated that tea output had been significantly affected during the period but measures were now in place to improve volumes going forward.
“The group has also secured plucking machines which should increase the harvesting capacity from the second quarter onwards,” company secretary Anesu Museta said in a trading update for the first quarter ended 31 December 2025
Tea output for the current year came in at 111 tonnes, representing a 77 percent drop from the prior period’s 496 tonnes.
“Tea harvesting activity was temporarily affected by intensive rainfall in the Chipinge region as well as working capital constraints which delayed certain critical farming activities.
“Field conditions have since improved and the estates are positioned to return to normal harvesting cycles, as weather patterns stabilise,” Museta said.
Macadamia operations, the group’s other major segment, recorded lower sales volumes compared with the prior period, although this was partly attributed to seasonal factors.
Harvesting typically begins later in the year and early indicators such as nut set were described as encouraging.
“Global demand for macadamia nuts continues to be firm, with export prices currently indicated at levels higher than those achieved in the prior year,” Museta said.
“The Group is actively engaging international buyers to secure forward contracts, thereby enhancing revenue visibility and foreign currency inflows.”
No poultry placements occurred during the quarter because the group undertook a strategic initiative to upgrade the poultry house heating system.
Other products, including bananas, sugar beans, and commercial maize, saw an eight percent volume increase driven by improved banana yields from better agronomic practices.
As for the financials, the group’s revenue was 58 percent lower than the prior comparative period, reflecting restructuring initiatives and weather-related production disruptions.
The group anticipates that performance improvement and efficiency initiatives will begin driving profitability and margin expansion around the third quarter.
Over 250 hectares of row crops have been planted, with early assessments pointing to strong yield potential that should support revenue diversification and margin resilience.
The group plans to continue expanding solar energy infrastructure across its estates, building on the Southdown success, while scaling technology-enabled agriculture and value-added processing.
Albeit persistent economic pressures and currency liquidity constraints, management believes its focus on cost optimisation, USD-based trading, and disciplined financial management provides a solid foundation for sustainable growth and improved shareholder value.
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