Positive economic data figures from World Trade Organisation and German Engineering Federation VDMA indicating an upward trend for West Africa’s agrofood and plastprintpack industry inspired the 4th edition of the trade show, organisers have maintained.
The 4th edition of agrofood & plastprintpack West Africa is featuring a record participation of 93 exhibitors from 21 countries showcasing the entire value chain “from farm to fork”, from agriculture and food processing technology, plastics, printing and packaging until the final food product.
Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal are the largest importers of finished food as well as of agricultural and food processing and packaging technology in West Africa – apart from Nigeria.
West African food imports increased to 14.4. billion US$ in 2015 compared to 13.1 billion US$ in 2014, a plus of 10% (WTO World Trade Organization) .
West African imports of agricultural machinery and equipment amounted to 187 million euro in 2016 (German Engineering Federation VDMA)
West African imports of food processing and packaging technology increased from 506 million euro in 2015 to 556 million euro in 2016 (VDMA), up 10%.
The figures of rising food imports show that the largest food market in Africa is still undersupplied.
The exhibitors come from Algeria, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Iran, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom.
The event is organized by the German trade show specialists fairtrade Messe and is running from 05 to 07 December 2017 at the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana.
Martin Marz, the founder and managing Partner fairtrade explained to B&FT what has been achieved over the previous editions; “There is new partnerships now that have been growing with people from Europe, Asia, there is new technology which has been introduced in Ghana and West Africa and there is a lot of knowhow transfer which has been done throughout the last three to four last years”.
The team leader [Industrial sub-contracting and partnership exchange at the Ministry of Trade and Industry], Paa Kow Bartels indicated that the various value chain coming to interact will bring about industrial growth.
“Technology which may not be readily available in the country, would be made available, knowledge which may not be available would also be made available, also people can understand what others are doing in other countries.
I think that overall this is a very good exhibition and that all people who are concerned with industry should come around to see”.
In addition to many global players, five national pavilions participating this year include:
Algeria showcasing agri-industrial technology and solutions, organised by SAFEX-Algerian Fairs and Exports Company
France, organized by adepta-French agrofood association offering French know-how and technology for agriculture, livestock and agrofood production of 8 French exhibitors
The Netherlands under the motto “Holland-Ghana Growing together” offering seeds, plants, processed foods and tissue culture supplies
Poland, supported by the Marshal Office of the Wielkopolska Region, displaying agrofood products and equipment by 12 Polish exhibitors
Sri Lanka Tea Board with 5 exhibitors offering Ceylon Tea.
Rising technology imports however confirm massive investments in processing and packaging equipment and indicate a revival of local food production and an extremely promising medium-term development.
Agrofood and plastprintpack West Africa 201 is supported by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture,Trade and Industry, the Delegation of the German Industry and Commerce in Ghana AHK, the French agrofood association adepta and AVEP.
