France orders Namibian-made chilli sauce
At the beginning of December, 30 000 bottles of Namibian chilli sauce were shipped to France. This is the first shipment of an order of 200 000 bottles produced by Roots Namibia.In the previous year's shipment, 10 000 bottles each of cayenne, jalapeño, and habanero sauces were sent to France.
The chillis are grown, harvested and processed at Roots Gymnasium at Stampriet. Roots began eight years ago with a dream by Johan Rieckert.
"His dream was for Namibia to become independent in terms of food security. We import most of our food, and so money leaves the country. This is where Roots Namibia wants to make a difference and is actively doing so. Through the Roots project, numerous job opportunities have been created in the Stampriet area," Theresa Greeff, head of marketing and sales at Roots, said.
During Covid-19, various types of chilli peppers were harvested at Roots, and Rieckert took them to Anneke Jacobs, asking if she could create something from them.
"Anneke had a lot of time on her hands and occupied herself with the chillis and the making of sauces. Together with Johan, they refined and adapted the sauces to what we are exporting to France today."
Greeff explained that a visitor to Roots tasted the sauces and was very impressed. "He said there is a massive market in France and ordered 200 000 bottles, the first of which were shipped in December and are selling like hot cakes."
The next 30 000 bottles are almost ready and will be sent at the end of March. The subsequent shipments will follow in June until the entire order is delivered.
"In the next shipment, we will be adding the creamy chilli sauce. So, we will be sending four different sauces each time, introducing a new sauce that has been created, tested and refined for shipment. Roots is also currently exploring the South African and Canadian markets for export.
"Our apples and grapes have been juiced, and they will be on Namibian store shelves soon, so too our sauces and tomato sauce. These are currently available at Roots in Stampriet."
For further information or inquiries, Theresa Greeff can be contacted at 081 277 4732.