Finding Zimbabwean and Southern African Groceries in the UK

One of the most reliable ways to maintain a connection to home while living in the UK is through food — and the good news is that the Zimbabwean diaspora community is well served by a growing number of specialist online retailers and physical shops stocking authentic Southern African staples. ## Online Zimbabwean and Southern African Food Retailers **Hippo Foods (hippofoods.co.uk)** is one of the most well-known online destinations specifically for Zimbabwean and Southern African groceries. Based in Hemel Hempstead, Hippo Foods stocks an extensive range including roller meal (sadza), pearl millet (mhunga), finger millet (zviyo), samp (manhuchu), sugar beans, white maize kernels, kapenta/matemba, Mazoe Orange Crush, Spar-letta drinks, maputi, and a range of spices and condiments. Goods are dispatched the next working day and delivery is typically within four working days. Free delivery applies on orders over £60, making it worth consolidating a larger shop when possible. **Hippo Store (myhippostore.co.uk)** operates as a separate platform and stocks similar Southern African products. They are also based in Hemel Hempstead. **Mwanaka Fresh Farm Foods and Butchery (mwanakafarmshop.com)** is located at 744 Hertford Road, Enfield, London (EN3 6PR) and offers both in-store shopping and nationwide delivery. Mwanaka is particularly known for fresh meat alongside dry goods. Their own-brand maize roller meal (5kg, Non-GMO) has proved popular, and they stock pearl millet, sorghum, samp, red rice, round nuts, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and a range of organic Zimbabwean herbal teas including Makoni herbal tea, baobab powder, moringa, and resurrection plant tea. Orders placed by 12pm receive next-day delivery. Contact them on 01992 765 668. **Zimtuck Shop (zimtuckshop.co.uk)** and **Zimfoods UK (zimfoods.co.uk)** are smaller specialist Zimbabwean retailers. Both stock matemba/kapenta and other Zimbabwean products. Zimfoods can be reached via info@zimfoods.co.uk or WhatsApp on +447424179354. ## Key Products to Look For The following staples are typically stocked across these platforms: - **Sadza ingredients**: Roller meal (white maize meal), usually sold in 5kg bags priced around £9–£10 - **Matemba/Kapenta**: Dried small fish essential for relish, available in 100g to 200g packs, priced from around £3.29 to £7.45 depending on size and brand - **Mhunga (pearl millet)** and **Zviyo (finger millet)**: Popular for traditional porridge, around £3.60 per kilogram - **Sugar beans and round nuts (nzungu)**: Priced from around £3.50–£4.00 per 500g - **Mazoe Orange Crush**: The beloved Zimbabwean cordial, available from Hippo Foods when in stock — demand frequently outstrips supply so it sells out quickly - **Samp (manhuchu)**: Around £3.00 per kilogram - **Herbal teas and wellness products**: Baobab, moringa, and Makoni herbal tea are available from Mwanaka ## Physical Shops and African Markets For those based in London and major cities, physical African and Caribbean supermarkets often stock Southern African products alongside West and East African goods. Areas with larger Zimbabwean communities — including parts of Croydon, Barnet, Enfield, Harrow, and Leicester — tend to have shops where Southern African products can be found. Peckham and Brixton in South London have well-established African food markets where maize meal, dried fish, and other staples appear regularly, though the stock is not exclusively Zimbabwean. It is worth asking shop owners directly whether they stock Southern African products, as smaller independent shops sometimes keep items behind the counter or will order them on request if there is sufficient demand. ## Tips for Shopping - **Buy in bulk where possible**: The per-unit cost of maize meal, millet, and beans drops significantly when ordered in larger quantities, and free delivery thresholds (typically £60) make bulk orders more economical. - **Check for seasonal availability**: Items like Mazoe and kapenta can go out of stock. Signing up for newsletters from retailers like Hippo Foods means you will be notified when popular items are restocked. - **Combine orders with friends or family**: Splitting a large online order with other Zimbabweans in your area is a practical way to hit free delivery thresholds and reduce individual costs. - **Verify delivery areas**: Most of the retailers listed above deliver to mainland UK only and do not ship to Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, or some island postcodes. Check before ordering. The range of Zimbabwean foods available in the UK has expanded considerably in recent years, driven by the size and purchasing power of the diaspora community. While nothing quite replaces a trip to Mbare Musika, these options make it considerably easier to cook authentic Zimbabwean food from your UK kitchen.