By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE – Delta Corporation’s sorghum beer brand, Chibuku Super, has surpassed its previous peak production level set in 1998, reaching more than 4.6 million hectolitres in the 2026 financial year.
The achievement is particularly significant given the competitive nature of the category and the presence of informal, untaxed alternatives in the market.
Delta described the milestone as evidence of brand equity built over decades.
“Sorghum Beer Zimbabwe surpassed 4.6 million hectolitres, exceeding the previous peak set in 1998,” the company said in its report.
“Chibuku Super is a proudly Zimbabwean brand, and consumers have supported it with their wallets.”
The 19% volume growth in sorghum beer matched that of lager beer, underscoring that the demand was broad-based rather than driven by any single segment.
Delta said the performance reflected real hectolitres and jobs supported across the value chain, not simply a currency effect.
The sorghum beer revival comes at a time when Delta Corporation is navigating significant cost pressures elsewhere in its portfolio. Unlike the sparkling beverages category, which absorbed a US$30 million sugar surtax, sorghum beer operates outside that tax net and has benefited from consistent consumer loyalty.
Industry observers note that the return to 1998-level production volumes is a rare bright spot in Zimbabwe’s consumer goods sector, where many categories have struggled with currency volatility, import constraints, and declining disposable incomes.
Delta’s ability to grow sorghum beer volumes suggests that accessible, locally produced traditional beverages remain resilient even in a challenging economic environment.
Total non-alcoholic volumes, including the newly consolidated Schweppes, reached 3.1 million hectolitres, up 16%.
Schweppes contributed US$101 million in topline revenue and delivered a much-improved operating performance, with new categories such as Appletiser and Powerade introduced alongside the relaunch of Minute Maid Pulpy Orange.
However, it was the sorghum beer performance that stood out for its historic significance. The previous peak in 1998 came during a very different economic era in Zimbabwe, making the 2026 achievement a noteworthy comeback for a brand that has remained a staple for generations of consumers.
Delta’s foreign-currency turnover increased from 80% to over 94% during the year, though the company continues to accept all currencies including the ZiG, expressing hope that new BiG5 notes will support wider circulation.
About Author
