Africa is one of the most promising regions for export. This summer, the oil and fat division of EFKO Group presented its products at the largest food exhibition on the continent - Food & Beverage West Africa 2023, and also took part in the Shea Butter Alliance Global Conference.
Wild. Hot. Mysterious. With dark jungle, lions and tigers. At all times, she beckoned and frightened at the same time. Africa!
The population in this region is constantly growing, due to which the consumption of confectionery and bakery products is also growing. Many countries on the continent are highly dependent on imports and purchase a wide range of ingredients. In June, the oil and fat division presented its products at the largest food exhibition Food&Beverage West Africa 2023 in Nigeria. The Russian exposition was presented by 11 companies - such a large number of domestic producers gathered in Lagos for the first time.
EFKO Group of Companies supplies specialized fats and margarines to almost 20 countries around the world, - said Dmitry Puzanov, head of export sales of the division. – The Nigerian market, as well as the whole of West Africa, is still new for our company in terms of the sales market. It was necessary to evaluate the needs of consumers and present our products. – Our foreign colleagues showed the greatest interest in margarines, frying oils and confectionery fats. We have already managed to conclude agreements with partners - these agreements will help us strengthen our positions.”
Africa for us is not only a market for products, but also a region in which we purchase raw materials for premium fats and cocoa butter alternatives.
“We have been working with the Nigerian market of raw material suppliers for more than three years, we already have strong established ties, ” says Anna Lebedenko, Deputy Director of the Oil and Fat Division for Cocoa Butter Equivalents. – Before that, we carried out a lot of preparatory work to study the trade features of the country, we “tried on” for a long time, looking for possible points of contact. This exhibition is one of the largest in the country, which means it is a great opportunity to strengthen existing trade relations and find new opportunities. Our main goal is to build long-term relationships in the field of a stable supply chain for exotic raw materials.
One of the types of such raw materials is shea nuts. Therefore, the delegation of the oil and fat division went to another point on the continent - Côte d'Ivoire - and took part in the conference of the global shea butter alliance.
The alliance brings together farmers, traders, buyers and non-profit organizations in the African Shea market. This is a “guarantee” that producers honestly fulfill their obligations: they preserve shea trees and respect the rights of workers.
This year there were more than 200 participants at the conference.
We discussed the supply chains of shea nuts, the state policy in the field of their production. We listened to the reports of the Ministry of Agriculture of Côte d'Ivoire. We have held more than 50 meetings and have already received contacts of potential partners.
EFKO Group of Companies has established its place among the world's largest buyers and processors of shea nuts, - summed up Anna Lebedenko. - "trying on", looking for possible points of contact.
We continue to establish contacts with the African continent. On July 27-28, the oil and fat division of EFKO Group of Companies will take part in a unique event in relations between Russia and Afghanistan riki, an economic and humanitarian forum to be held as part of the second Russia-Africa Summit.
