Hume International; carving a niche for itself.

If you’re an entrepreneur with a passion for exceptional food, you’re in for a treat. Hume International, a renowned company in the food industry, has carved a niche for itself by sourcing an extensive range of top-quality imported meat, dairy products, starches, and vegetables for the benefit of local businesses seeking to impress local households.

With a relentless commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of consumer preferences, Hume International is well-known in industry circles, and is trusted by wholesalers, retailers, manufacturers, and professional chefs alike.

When it comes to meat, the company offers an unparalleled selection of frozen cuts that are not only convenient but also showcase the finest quality. From succulent beef steaks to tender chicken and flavourful lamb, its frozen meat collection is unmatched.

Dairy enthusiasts are also in for a treat, with Hume International’s range of dairy products that exemplify richness and taste. Indulge in the creaminess of their milk, savour the flavours of their yogurt, and enjoy their exquisite cheeses. Hume International remains committed to sourcing the finest ingredients.

But it doesn’t stop there, Hume International understands the importance of a well-rounded meal, which is why they also excel in providing high-quality starches and vegetables. Their carefully selected vegetables retain their freshness, vibrancy, and nutritional value.

Finally, Hume International’s starches and dry products serve as a vital component of many beloved food products, with competitively-priced sausage casings, potato starches, soy products, and more.

Hume International has been our client since January 2011, and we have been blown away at how their range has grown. We caught up with Roy Thomas, the Director of Logistics and Operations at Hume International for more insights into how business has been for the organisation over the past couple of years.

1. How has business been over the past couple of years?

It’s certainly been a challenging few years, given the challenges brought about by the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, the floods and riots in KwaZulu-Natal, and the impacts of Russia’s war with Ukraine. However, that did not stop us from enjoying some phenomenal successes, and Hume International continues to grow from strength to strength.  

For example, Hume International is currently in the process of building a new dry store facility totalling 1 300 m2 in Gqeberha. We recently launched a new 500 m2 building at the N12 Strategic Park, in Johannesburg, Gauteng, and will be increasing storage capacity in Pinetown, in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as in Cape Town.

Additionally, our export business grew 40% in 2022 as we extended our reach to countries such as Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Swaziland, Mozambique, and Botswana.

While the core of our business lies in the trade of frozen commodities such as seafood, meat, dairy products, and vegetables, we’ve diversified substantially over the past few years.

There’s been remarkable growth in our dry goods business in recent months, involving products such as starches, soya products, and casings, which are all typically used in the production of sausages, viennas, and polonies. We’re further currently involved in selling goods such as sunflower oil, cereals, ice cream, soft drinks, and even soaps to Africa and the Indian Ocean islands.

We are export partners for a number of South African businesses, and also act as major importers and suppliers for a diverse range of international and national retailers, independent retail chain stores, manufacturers, wholesalers, traders, informal customers, and the wider food service industry.

We strive to set the standard as one of Africa’s leading importers and distributors of frozen food-based commodities and other products.

Our mission is to procure and supply the highest quality products, and to exceed clients’ expectations through on-time, reliable delivery, ensuring value for money. As a result, we continuously seek to build and maintain relationships with reliable and reputable suppliers, as well as transport providers such as LMC Express, as we strategically source best-in-class frozen foods and other foodstuffs from across the globe.

Hume International has trading relationships with partners in over 27 countries around the world, but we primarily distribute our products across Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Africa especially where we currently service nearly 800 different trade routes across the country.

LMC Express offers exceptional coverage, and its coverage of South Africa allows Hume International to confidently offer our product lines to all corners of the country, knowing that LMC Express will assist us in fulfilling our service delivery promises.