Supplying Zambia’s leading grocers unlocks country-wide shelf space, consistent purchase orders, and brand credibility—but only if you tick every compliance box. This step-by-step guide shows exactly how to register your food business with Choppies and Shoprite, from company paperwork and food-safety permits to barcodes and buyer meetings.
Why Aim for Big-Box Retailers?
- Nation-wide reach: Shoprite alone runs 40 + outlets across Zambia, while Choppies is expanding rapidly into secondary towns. Your products enjoy instant distribution (Shoprite).
- Reliable cash-flow: Long-term supply contracts help you forecast production and secure financing.
- Brand trust: Listing with a major chain signals quality to restaurants, wholesalers, and export buyers.
Step 1 – Register a Fully Compliant Business
- Company incorporation: Register a private limited company with PACRA and obtain your Business Registration Certificate.
- Tax credentials: Apply for a Taxpayer Identification Number (TPIN) and VAT registration (if annual turnover ≥ ZMW 1 million) through the Zambia Revenue Authority (Zambia Revenue Authority).
- Sector-specific licences: Food processors may need public-health clearance from local councils; dairy, meat, or fish handlers often require Veterinary or Fisheries permits. Secure these early to avoid buyer delays.
Pro tip: Your TPIN, PACRA certificate, and bank letter (issued < 3 months ago) form the “mandatory trio” each retailer checks before reviewing product samples.
Step 2 – Nail Food-Safety & Regulatory Standards
2.1 Compulsory standards and “Permit-to-Supply”
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) enforces hygiene, labelling, and contaminant limits for high-risk foods. Before approaching any retailer you must:
- Submit product test results to ZCSA.
- Obtain a Permit-to-Supply for each product category (e.g., beverages, baked goods) (Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency).
2.2 Good manufacturing practice (GMP)
Chains expect documented Standard Operating Procedures, pest-control logs, and recall plans. Keep these on file; buyers may request an on-site audit.
Step 3 – Build a Retail-Ready Supplier Dossier
| Document | Choppies | Shoprite |
| PACRA certificate & TPIN | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bank letter (< 3 months) | ✔ | ✔ |
| VAT certificate (if registered) | ✔ | ✔ |
| ZCSA Permit-to-Supply | ✔ | ✔ |
| Company profile & product list | ✔ | ✔ |
| GS1 barcodes | Optional, strongly advised | Mandatory (Shoprite Holdings) |
| Health/Safety certificates | As applicable | As applicable |
Attach lab results, photos, and packaging mock-ups to strengthen your pitch.
Step 4 – Apply to Each Retailer
4.1 Choppies Zambia
- Download & complete the Supplier Application Form from the Choppies supplier portal (choppies.co.zm).
- Email the form plus all supporting documents to dirke@choppies.co.zm.
- Follow up by phone (+260 97 245 4676) if you have not received acknowledgment within 10 days.
Expect a category buyer to request product samples for quality and price benchmarking.
4.2 Shoprite Zambia
- Online application: Navigate to Shoprite Holdings › Become a Supplier and choose your size category (micro, small, medium, or large) (Shoprite Holdings).
- Upload documents listed in the portal. All files go through automatic validation, so ensure legibility and current dates.
- GS1 barcoding: Shoprite requires every SKU to carry a valid GTIN. Register through GS1 South Africa or GS1 Zambia before submission (gs1zace.gs1za.org).
- Sample & pricing review: If documents pass, a buyer schedules an introduction meeting, collects samples, and may request cost-breakdowns.
- Trading agreement: Successful suppliers receive a Supplier Number and onboarding guide for the B2B portal (order downloads, remittances, claims, QA certificates) (Shoprite Holdings).
Step 5 – Package, Barcode, and Label Like a Pro
- Barcodes: Use black-on-white EAN-13, 80 % magnification minimum. Test scannability on finished packs.
- Date coding: Apply production date and best-before in clear font ≥ 3 mm.
- Nutrition panels: Follow Codex format; highlight allergens in bold.
- Transit packing: Corrugated cartons must survive stacked pallet loads without crushing. Print SKU, batch, and quantity on two sides.
Step 6 – Maintain Compliance and Grow the Relationship
- Update permits annually. ZCSA issues one-year Permits-to-Supply; renew 30 days before expiry.
- Deliver on time. Late deliveries trigger fines and listing suspension. Integrate the retailer’s forecast data into your production plan.
- Continuous improvement. Use sales reports from the Shoprite B2B portal or Choppies buyer feedback to tweak flavours, sizes, or bundle packs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does approval take?
Choppies responds in 2 – 4 weeks. Shoprite’s portal validation adds about one week, followed by buyer review that can take another 2 – 3 weeks.
Can start-ups with small capacity apply?
Yes. Shoprite categorises “micro-suppliers” (< ZMW 500 k turnover) separately, often granting volume flexibility during ramp-up.
Is GS1 registration compulsory for Choppies?
It is “strongly encouraged.” Products without barcodes may still be listed, but re-labelling fees are deducted from supplier invoices.
Do I need B-BBEE credentials?
Shoprite’s online form includes an optional B-BBEE field. Zambian suppliers can upload an affidavit stating “Not Applicable.”
Conclusion
By securing your company registration, food-safety permits, and barcoding early, you present a professional face to Zambia’s leading retailers. Once onboard, rigorous supply-chain discipline and ongoing compliance will keep your products on the shelves—and your brand on shoppers’ tables
