Africa-Press – Angola. Fazenda Manteiga, a rural property in Cunhinga, Bié, decided to diversify the offer, expanding the production of fruit and cereals to that of a Woposi branded brandy (Terra in the regional Umbundu language), produced from pineapple, favored by a still purchased in Portugal, announced the producer to our report.
Franklin Manteiga told that the farm, where he worked exclusively in the production of corn and beans, now has a two-hectare pineapple plantation (in addition to the production acquired from other farmers), living up to the tradition of municipality of Cunhinga, from where 300 tons of citrus per year are shipped to the market.
The production of Waposi began in 2015, in an artisanal way, before the acquisition of the alembic, with Franklin Manteiga guaranteeing that the brandy from the mill set up on the farm “is one of the most requested drinks, both by locals and visitors. ”.
Franklin Manteiga describes Waposi as an aged brandy, “typically Angolan, white and fruity”, with the bottle in which it is officially marketed being sealed and sealed.
According to the source, thanks to these characteristics and investments in marketing, the drink overcame an initial phase of stigmatization and obtained the status of sophistication, starting to be consumed in sophisticated bars in Cuito, as well as in restaurants, hotels and nightclubs. from that city.
It is also sold in selected locations in Luanda and Huambo, after its presence at fairs has helped to break the image of a cheap and low-quality drink that brandy still carries.
Most of the production is still done by hand, which Franklin Manteiga considers a way of doing business with great growth probabilities, the drink is sold in the city of Cuito at a thousand kwanzas a liter, in bottles of this size with a generic design label. .
The farmer stated that he produces, on average, about 100 liters a day, in five-liter gallons, with an expected production of 18,000 liters per month, but there is still no fixed buyer.
With the aim of reaching a niche in the market, the farmer develops differentiated packaging, which has contributed to improving the image and expanding the market, having projected an investment of 20 thousand dollars in the acquisition of a distiller and start producing on a large scale.
The farm is also committed to expanding sales abroad, with sample orders received from Portugal and Spain. “We sent samples to Portugal and Spain, the staff liked it a lot, so we are already starting the process for exporting pineapple brandy”, he said.
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