Zimbabwean Grocery and Butchery Shops in the UK: Finding Lacto, Mazoe, Chibuku, Kapenta and Zimbabwean-Cut Meat

For Zimbabweans in the UK, finding the tastes of home requires knowing where to look. A growing network of African and specifically Zimbabwean-run shops, market stalls, and online suppliers now makes it possible to source many staples — from Mazoe Orange Crush to kapenta — without travelling too far. **African and Zimbabwean Grocery Shops** The highest concentration of shops catering to Zimbabweans is found in areas with large diaspora communities: South London (Croydon, Peckham, Brixton), Coventry, Birmingham, Leicester, Leeds, and parts of Greater Manchester. Many of these shops are run by Zimbabweans or southern Africans and stock products imported from Zimbabwe and South Africa. In Peckham and Brixton, long-established African grocery shops regularly stock Zimbabwean and Zambian products alongside West African goods. Croydon, which has one of the largest Zimbabwean populations in the UK, has several shops that specifically target the community. Key products typically stocked in these shops include: - **Mazoe Orange Crush** — the most sought-after concentrate, sometimes available in 2-litre bottles imported via South Africa - **Lacto** — the fermented milk drink beloved across Zimbabwe, though availability varies significantly by shop and season - **Kapenta** — dried lake sardines from Lake Kariba or Lake Tanganyika, usually sold in 500g or 1kg bags - **Chibuku Shake Shake** — the opaque sorghum beer, sold in cartons; stocked in select shops and occasionally at Zimbabwean community events - **Sadza meal (roller meal)** — white maize meal, widely available under brands such as Uji, Pfuko, or South African equivalents like Ace and Iwisa - **Dried mopane worms (madora)** — stocked occasionally, more reliably found at Zimbabwean community events and online - **Mahewu** — available in some shops, though less common than in Zimbabwe - **Epol dog food and Olivine cooking oil** — sometimes found via South African import networks **Online Suppliers** Several UK-based online retailers have emerged to serve the diaspora market. Searching terms like "Zimbabwean groceries UK" or "African shop online UK" will surface suppliers who deliver nationally. Facebook groups such as "Zimbabweans in the UK" and "Zimbabwe Community UK" regularly feature posts from community members selling or locating specific products, and small-scale importers often advertise through these channels. Some Zimbabweans in the UK also receive care packages from family back home, though customs rules apply — commercially packaged goods are generally fine, but raw or unpackaged foods may be stopped at the border. **Butcheries and Zimbabwean-Style Meat Cuts** Zimbabwean meat culture is distinct. Braai cuts, road runner chicken (free-range, smaller), offal including tripe (matumbu), intestines (zvivindi), cow heel (mabondo), and ox tail are central to home cooking. Standard UK supermarket cuts do not reflect this tradition. African and Caribbean butchers in Peckham, Brixton, Coventry's Foleshill Road, and Birmingham's Lozells area are the most reliable sources for these cuts. Halal butchers in areas with South Asian and East African populations also regularly stock goat, ox tail, cow foot, and full offal selections that overlap significantly with Zimbabwean cooking requirements. For braai-style cuts — thick rib, T-bone cut to Zimbabwean dimensions, or boerewors sausage — South African butcheries and delis are your best option. Several operate online and ship nationally, including shops in London and Coventry. Boerewors, while South African in origin, is widely eaten at Zimbabwean braais in the UK and is stocked by several online South African retailers. **Community Events as a Source** Zimbabwean church gatherings, cultural events, and diaspora festivals — particularly Zimbabwe Independence celebrations in late April and Heroes Day events in August — frequently feature vendors selling home goods, cooked food, and imported products. These events in Coventry, London, and Birmingham are excellent opportunities to locate suppliers. **Practical Tips** - Call ahead before travelling to check stock, as popular items like Mazoe sell out quickly - Join local Zimbabwean WhatsApp groups and Facebook communities — members frequently share information about where to find specific products - South African shops are often a reliable fallback for similar products, and many carry goods that cross over with Zimbabwean tastes - Some products arrive seasonally depending on import shipments, so availability fluctuates