RU

Russia-Africa: EFKO took part in the international forum

31.07.2023
Russia-Africa: EFKO took part in the international forum
Previous
Russia-Africa: EFKO took part in the international forum
Next
“Flexibility, stability and warmth.” Summing up the oil and fat conference

“Flexibility, stability and warmth.” Summing up the oil and fat conference08.09.2023

It will be hot: EFKO products conquer Africa

It will be hot: EFKO products conquer Africa08.06.2023

“Even a lion can be tied with threads if you weave them. Our job is to weave our economies together.” "You never know what you can do till you try". This is not a collection of proverbs from different countries. This is a dialogue between Russian and African speakers during the Russia-Africa Economic Forum. The oil and fat division of EFKO presented its products at the event and held negotiations with suppliers of exotic raw materials.

July 27-28. Saint Petersburg. More than 50 exhibition stands. Over 25 companies from various sectors of the Russian industry. 

The Russia-Africa Forum is a unique event in relations between the two regions.

Africa is developing rapidly and is rapidly gaining geopolitical weight. Today it is the world leader in terms of population growth. As a result, the demand for food is growing. The forum gives manufacturers the opportunity to take cooperation to a strategic level.

During the business program, speakers discussed the opportunities and risks of doing business in Africa, Russia's export potential, new logistics routes, and much more.

“Africa is of interest to the EFKO Group of Companies as a market for specialized fats and margarines, as well as a supplier of exotic raw materials that we purchase for the production of unique ingredients for the confectionery industry,” said Anna Lebedenko, Oil Equivalents Director fat-and-oil division cocoa.

There are certain barriers that still hinder the establishment of a strong partnership. One of the main problems today is the lack of a single center that would coordinate the promotion of Russian business on the continent. Also, logistics chains have not been rebuilt - while delivery is carried out through transshipment.

“Now we need support measures from states, the development of logistics, the regulatory framework in order to create an appropriate infrastructure that can ensure stable trade relations”, - said Eduard Tsuverkalov, export development director. b>

In June, the oil and fat division already presented its products at the largest food exhibition Food&Beverage West Africa 2023 in Nigeria, and also took part in the conference of the global shea butter alliance in Côte d`Ivoire.

“We are used to talking about Africa as a single state, but still, the countries represented on the continent are very different, each of them has its own characteristics, complexities and nuances of work that we still need to study, – Nadezhda Kornienko, the division's leading analyst, summed up. - Such events really help to orient and get a vector for further understanding of the opportunities of the oil and fats market in African countries. We hope that another brick in the understanding of our potential strategic partners was laid at the forum.”

Attach a file (pdf, doc or jpeg only)

* - Required fields.

for

Previously published reports:

section-image
section-image

section-image
section-image

section-image
section-image

Dear partners!

In order to improve EFKO products and quality of service, as well as to better meet your needs, we ask you to answer a few questions.

In the Alekseevskaya Sloboda of the Belgorod province, where in the late 1820s, sunflower oil was produced for the first time in the Russian Empire, and the first oil mill in Russia was built.

During the years of the First World War, and then the Civil War, production was completely stopped. The restoration of the plant began only in 1923. The main focus of its work remained the processing of coriander and anise. In 1936, the second oil extraction plant in all of Russia was built in Alekseevka. Later, both enterprises were merged into one of the largest essential oil extraction complexes in the Soviet Union.

During the Great Patriotic War, the complex was almost destroyed. Restoration work, which began in 1943, continued until the end of 1948. In the post-war period, comprehensive reconstruction was carried out on many sections using the latest technological advancements. By the 1970s, the Alekseevsky essential oil extraction complex produced up to 80% of the world's coriander oil. For its achievements in production development, the development and implementation of advanced technology, by decree of August 14, 1972, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR awarded the plant the Order of the Badge of Honor.

Unfortunately, in the 1990s, the enterprise that brought fame and wealth to the people of Alekseevka fell into decline and practically collapsed. The revival of the enterprise began in 1994 with the arrival of a new team and the creation of the EFCO Group.

The enterprise underwent large-scale modernization of production and established a new management system. The company decided to return to its roots and resume the production of sunflower oil. Later, EFCO expanded the range and volume of products.

In 2002, a new business direction was opened, and the most modern plant for the production of specialized fats and margarines for the food industry, EFCO Food Ingredients, was launched in the city of Alekseevka, Belgorod region. A scientific and production laboratory was established at the plant, equipped to control product quality at all stages of production and conduct in-depth scientific research.

In 2002–2003, EFCO technologists mastered the most environmentally friendly process of vegetable oil processing – the 'dry' fractionation method, applied the technology of physical refining of oils and fats, and managed to create Russia's first cocoa butter substitute 'Ecolad,' milk fat substitute 'Ecolact,' solid confectionery fat 'Ekond,' soft confectionery fat 'Ekonfe,' universal margarines 'Ecouniversal,' frying shortenings 'Ecofri,' and the first domestic fats with minimal trans-isomers content – confectionery fats 'Econat.'

In 2005, the R&D center of the fats and oils division was created based on EFCO Food Ingredients, consisting of the Applied Research Center and the Pilot Plant Department. The center’s specialists are engaged in developing and testing fat products for healthy eating lines and innovative recipes, taking into account the needs of manufacturers.

In 2006, the company was the first in Russia to successfully pass an audit for compliance with the quality and safety requirements of the BRC (Global Standard for Food Safety) and the International Food Standard (IFS). Is this information relevant?

In 2008, the second plant for the production of specialized fats and margarines was launched in the port of Taman in the Krasnodar Territory, and the only deep-water sea terminal for food cargo in Russia was built.

The following year, the plant successfully passed certification for compliance with the quality and safety requirements of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the International Food Standard (IFS). International auditors awarded the company the highest compliance level – Grade AA. Is this information relevant?

In 2014, the company’s technologists created the first domestic equivalent of cocoa butter.

In 2015, the EFCO Group launched a project to create a unique fats and oils cluster in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Thanks to production modernization and the transfer of global technologies, the production of specialized fats and margarines meeting the highest international standards was established in a short time.

In 2016, EFCO opened its fourth site for the production of specialized fats and margarines at the Evdakovsky fats and oils plant in the Voronezh region.

In 2021, production capacity at the Taman port facility was increased – launching the world's first 'million-ton plant' for the production of specialized fats and margarines. Do we need this?

In 2023, the company launched the only shea nut processing plant in Russia.

Thanks to R&D and significant investments by domestic producers in developing their own infrastructure, primarily by EFCO, the share of imported producers in the Russian food ingredients market has decreased from 49% to 9% over the past 15 years and continues to decline.

Almost 200 years later, Alekseevka remains the largest center for vegetable oil processing in the country.

Fill out the form and our manager will contact you!

Attach a file (pdf, doc or jpeg only)

* - Required fields.