- The Chipata Industrial Yard, Kagunda Turn off, Eastern province.
Sun-dried mangoes and other seasonal fruits packaged for local supermarkets and international exports worldwide. Stringent food safety protocols meet European and North American market requirements. Natural solar drying preserves sweetness, vitamins and authentic tropical flavors consumers demand.
Denise Cousineu Cooperative Society captures Zambia’s abundant fruit harvests through solar drying technology that transforms perishable fresh mangoes and seasonal fruits into premium dried products with extended shelf life and concentrated natural sweetness. Our processing methods preserve the vibrant colors, nutritional content, and authentic tropical flavors that distinguish our dried fruits in competitive markets. Unlike industrial processors using sulfur dioxide preservatives for color retention, we rely on rapid solar drying and proper storage preventing browning while maintaining clean-label status appealing to health-conscious consumers. Member farmers benefit from processing that eliminates post-harvest losses during peak fruit seasons when fresh market prices collapse under supply gluts, instead earning consistent returns for quality fruit delivered to our facility.
Our dried mango products target premium market segments including specialty food stores, health food retailers, and export channels serving African diaspora communities plus consumers seeking exotic dried fruits. Mangoes are hand-selected at optimal ripeness, washed with purified water, peeled using food-grade equipment, and sliced to uniform thickness ensuring even drying characteristics. Solar drying chambers equipped with UV-filtering glass prevent photodegradation while maintaining temperatures that preserve Vitamin C and beta-carotene content. Final products undergo sorting to separate premium whole slices from broken pieces, maximizing value across different price points. ZABS certification plus regular laboratory testing for moisture content, sugar concentration, and microbial safety ensure compliance with international export regulations for European and North American markets demanding documented food safety management systems.
Member farmers deliver tree-ripened mangoes and seasonal fruits at peak maturity ensuring optimal natural sweetness and flavor development. Processing staff inspect each fruit for ripeness indicators, absence of bruising or disease, and overall quality before washing, peeling and precision slicing operations begin immediately maintaining freshness.
Prepared fruit slices are arranged on food-grade drying trays allowing air circulation around each piece for uniform moisture removal. UV-protected solar drying chambers maintain optimal temperatures concentrating natural sugars while preserving nutritional content. Gradual moisture reduction over 18-24 hours produces chewy texture and intensified sweetness consumers prefer.
Located at Chipata Industrial Yard serving eighty member farmers with certified processing facilities and transparent financial services. Smart invoicing compliance and independent annual audits ensure accountability to every member farmer.
Common questions about membership, products, financial services and cooperative operations answered clearly. Democratic governance ensures transparency and member participation in all cooperative decisions.
Membership is open to all interested women in Chipata and surrounding areas since our 2024 by-law amendments. Contact Board Chairperson Alice Mkandawire at 0977608364 or General Manager Dorothy Chizenga at 0975839373. Complete registration forms and begin monthly contributions to access savings programs, loan products, processing facilities and democratic voting rights immediately.
We process premium dried vegetables including pumpkin leaves, zumba, mutambe, tindingoma and kasongo using solar and electric technology. Our product range includes dried sheet sweet potatoes, sun-dried mangoes and comprehensive groundnut varieties: pounded, raw, fried, freshly cooked, dried and roasted. All products meet ZABS certification standards for supermarkets, chain stores and international markets including Europe and North America.
Various loan products with favorable interest rates support member development and emergency financial needs throughout the year. Loan amounts and terms vary based on savings history, share ownership and specific member circumstances. Monthly contributions build eligibility while dividends on shares provide additional returns. Contact our financial services team to discuss which loan product best matches your current needs and repayment capacity.
Democratic governance ensures every member voice matters through our General Assembly of eighty women meeting annually. Members elect the ten-person Board of Directors who oversee professional management and strategic direction. Committees including Finance, Sales, Procurement, Marketing and Community Supervision provide specialized oversight. Independent auditors ensure financial transparency annually. All major decisions require member approval following cooperative principles of member control and economic participation.
We hold ZABS certification ensuring national food safety compliance, ZPPA registration for procurement activities, Workman's Compensation coverage protecting our team, and Smart Invoicing registration with ZRA for tax transparency. Our processing facilities follow stringent quality control measures including grading, pooling and testing for product consistency. Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises supervision under the Cooperative Act of 1998 ensures legal compliance and member protection throughout operations.
