Africa’s Big Seven Food And Beverage Trade Show
More International Companies Join the Quest for African Trade
Africa’s prominence in world trade is increasing, with more global companies and a growing number of countries clamouring to get a slice of the African market. Africa’s Big Seven – the continent’s largest food and beverage industry trade event – is a clear indicator of this, as a record number of countries sign up for this year’s show.
Belarus, Iran, Cuba, and Vietnam are just some countries that will be making their début at this year’s show, which takes place from 17 to 19 July 2011 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg.
Iran.
Iran is the world’s biggest exporter of pistachio nuts, saffron and dates and is also one of the top ten international producers of various agricultural products including fruits and fresh vegetables, wheat and flour, sweets, dairy products, tomato paste, vegetable oil, fruit compote, mineral water, spaghetti, fruit juice and concentrate.
“Africa is a key market in Iran’s business strategy,” explains Behrooz Rezazadeh, CEO of PSDC Group, co-ordinators of Iran’s pavilion at SAITEX. “In this respect, South Africa is an important market hub because of the availability of the necessary commercial infrastructure in the region to expand business into the entire continent.”
The country exports products worth over $3-billion a year to the Far East, Africa, Europe, and North America, and also to its neighbouring markets Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, thanks to its important geopolitical location in the Middle East region.
Due to sanctions imposed against Iran, Rezazadeh says the country is actively working to gain new markets for its products, particularly in food manufacturing, food processing and packaging machinery. “In recent years, the quality of Iranian products has increased significantly, particularly in quality, taste, as well as packaging design and quality,” he adds.
Growing Global Participation
Another newcomer, Vietnam has trade links with almost all countries in African with key markets. Trade between Vietnam and Africa has grown by over 30% in recent years. In 2010, Vietnam’s exports to Africa reached $1.8-billion, an increase of 15% from 2009 figures and a tenfold increase since 2001.
South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Senegal, Angola, and Ghana are Vietnam’s main export markets for products such as textiles, footwear, agricultural equipment, electrical appliances, electronics, bicycles, motorcycles, building materials, furniture, plastics, and computer components.
Rice is one of Vietnam’s biggest exports and Africa imports $1-billion worth every year, with Nigeria, Senegal, and Ghana the biggest buyers.
Vietnam’s key imports from Africa include wood materials, cotton, raw cashew nuts, iron and steel, and gold. In 2010, Vietnam imports from Africa reached $767-million, particularly from key suppliers South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria and Ghana.
Iran and Vietnam are not alone in targeting Africa as a growing market.
“Belarus in eastern Europe has just announced that they will be hosting a pavilion,” says John Thomson, Managing Director of Exhibition Management Services, the organisers. “Last year, Belarus trade with Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries totaled $4.8-billion, up 120% from 2009 figures.
“With these countries joining the expos, we already have more countries exhibiting than the 32 present last year. We had to arrange more exhibition space this year and the show will be about 47% bigger than last year’s event,” concludes Thomson.
Africa’s Big Seven is a seven-in-one trade exhibition that showcases an extensive range of products, equipment, services, systems and technologies in the food and beverage sector, comprising:
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Agri-Food – manufacturers and producers expo;
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IFMA – dedicated biennial meat industry expo;
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FoodBiz Africa – food service and equipment;
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FoodTech Africa together with DrinkTech Africa – food sector production, processing and packaging, and beverage processing and packing machinery, equipment and technology;
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InterBake Africa – equipment, processes and ingredients for the baking industry;
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Pan Africa Retail Exhibition – food, beverages, merchandise and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG);
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Retail Solutions Africa – technology for retailers.
Africa’s largest food trade expo, Africa’s Big Seven, takes place alongside SAITEX, providing visitors free access to both shows, offering unprecedented trade exposure for exhibitors, and business opportunities for visitors.
For more information contact Lineke Fleischer, Exhibition Management Services.
Tel: 27 11 783 7250. Fax: 27 11 783 7269.
E-mail: admin@exhibitionsafrica.com
Website: www.exhibitionsafrica.com