Event News

Help to improve livestock breeds FOR A COUNTRY which relies on agriculture and livestock production as its economic mainstay, the level of support for the sector from the government leaves a lot to be desired. Since the 1990s, the support has dwindled even as the consumer population in Kenya shot up.

THE LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT has announced that it is in the final stages of securing a US$1.6bn Indonesian investment in palm oil production which is expected to create 35,000 jobs. Richard Tolbert, chairman of the countrys National Investment Commission, said in a recent interview that the investment, in south-eastern Liberia, will give a major boost to the countrys post-conflict economy.

PLANT SCIENTISTS AT the University of York, in the UK, have published the first genetic map of the medicinal herb Artemisia annua. The map is being used to accelerate plant breeding of Artemisia and rapidly develop the species into a high-yielding crop.

Africa’s Big Seven is the continent’s largest food and beverage industry event held annually in Johannesburg. This year it takes place from 19-21 July when scores of International companies will be aiming to launch into the Africa market.

THE ONLY EVENT of its kind on the continent, AB7 presents a composite of seven separate but co-located events that define the various stages and specific technologies required to move produce from the field through the processing, packaging and marketing phases eventually culminating in retail sales. Visited by buyers from 43 countries in 2008, this expo hosted exhibitors from 19 countries. Some of the new companies who will be at Africa’s big Seven (AB7) this year include:

South Africa

Popular brand Craze Cooldrinks will be taking centre stage at (AB7). Launched by South African Beverage Industries, Craze Cooldrinks is available in nine flavours and is a ‘young, funky, trendy and cool’ drink. “We are looking forward to a great response this year to our Craze Cooldrinks,” says Bilqis Akoodie, chief operating officer of South African Beverage Industries. Food safety and quality management systems company G2lobal will be making its début at this year’s Africa’s Big Seven (AB7). “We would like to meet major manufacturers, exporters, distributors and retailers in the food sector,” says Aileen Krige, G2lobal’s marketing manager. G2lobal is one of a growing number of companies that have identified AB7 as a platform to reach both the local and international markets. Leading company and first-time exhibitor Shenk’s will be using AB7 as a platform to grow its markets. The company is an importer of Woebers Horseradish and Mustard Sauces and Shenk’s Premium Quality Sauces.

Ethiopia

Six Ethiopian companies will be exhibiting at Africa’s Big Seven Expo for the first time, with a huge variety of products available. Brook Mamo, Arcader (Pty) Ltd’s group marketing manager says: “All our exhibitors wish to meet manufacturers, importers, distributors, agent wholesalers and retailers. As companies that have never exported into Africa before, they are looking forward to the show.” Products that will be displayed include high-quality honey from Sonia Enterprise plc, coffee from Ayal Damtew International Trading plc, Arabica coffee from Almaz Zeleke Trading plc, sweet honey from Beza Mar Agro-Industry plc, as well as the aromatic flavours of Mulege Coffee plc’s coffees. Ethiopia’s largest agro-industry organisation, Elfora will also be exhibiting.

Denmark

Danish meat processing company MPS will be using AB7 as an opportunity to interact with manufacturers of meat and dairy products. Annet Emaus-Ordelman in MPS marketing communication department says: “MPS would like to meet manufacturers of meat and dairy products, we would also like to interact with retailers because of our activities in the warehousing of products.” MPS is a global market leader in the development, production and installation of high-tech slaughtering systems. The company is currently exporting world-wide, including to several North African countries.

Germany

German company Nölken Hygiene Products GmbH will be bringing its latest product range Babyline Mom to AB7. Babyline Mom is a new care line for pregnant women. “The expo creates a great opportunity for us to make new contacts in South Africa and to build the awareness we created for our products last year,” says Head of Sales, Thomas Schnitter. “We are really looking forward to this year’s show and hope to conclude some good business deals.”

Spain

Aguas de Mondariz searched the Internet for influential food and beverage shows in Africa. “We came across AB7 whilst looking for a show at which we could launch our bottled Mondariz brand of natural mineral water,” says Miranda Clegg, Director of Exports at Aguas de Mondariz. “We are particularly interested in Southern African territories.” Aguas de Mondariz will be launching their Spanish Mondariz natural mineral water in glass and PET (polyethylene terephthalate-plastic) formats. In addition the company will be showing their limited edition Elite by Mondariz products, which are packaged in glass.

Ukraine

Proud of the quality of their products, Ichnyansky - the only company in the Ukraine that is currently producing condensed milk products - will be showcasing their range of products. “We are using AB7 as our launch pad into Africa,” says Kovtun Elena, from Ichnyansky’s Commercial Department. “We hope to meet many importers and distributors at the show.”

China

A number of Chinese companies will be showcasing their latest technical innovations at Africa’s Big Seven. Hangzhou Ruijiang Chemical Co. Ltd - a leading manufacturer of food ingredients - will be displaying a range of products which includes sodium, erythorbate, phosphates, citric acid and vital wheat gluten available for exporting. This is a stand not to be missed. Fufeng Food is a technological leader in the production of Xanthan gum which is used as a safe food additive. An environmentally friendly product, Xanthan gum is widely used as a resistant thickener, emulsifier and a high velocity filling agent in various foods and beverages.

THE ONLY EVENT of its kind on the continent, AB7 presents a composite of seven separate but co-located events that define the various stages and specific technologies required to move produce from the field through the processing, packaging and marketing phases eventually culminating in retail sales. Visited by buyers from 43 countries in 2008, this expo hosted exhibitors from 19 countries. Some of the new companies who will be at Africa’s big Seven (AB7) this year include:

South Africa

Popular brand Craze Cooldrinks will be taking centre stage at (AB7). Launched by South African Beverage Industries, Craze Cooldrinks is available in nine flavours and is a ‘young, funky, trendy and cool’ drink. “We are looking forward to a great response this year to our Craze Cooldrinks,” says Bilqis Akoodie, chief operating officer of South African Beverage Industries. Food safety and quality management systems company G2lobal will be making its début at this year’s Africa’s Big Seven (AB7). “We would like to meet major manufacturers, exporters, distributors and retailers in the food sector,” says Aileen Krige, G2lobal’s marketing manager. G2lobal is one of a growing number of companies that have identified AB7 as a platform to reach both the local and international markets. Leading company and first-time exhibitor Shenk’s will be using AB7 as a platform to grow its markets. The company is an importer of Woebers Horseradish and Mustard Sauces and Shenk’s Premium Quality Sauces.

Ethiopia

Six Ethiopian companies will be exhibiting at Africa’s Big Seven Expo for the first time, with a huge variety of products available. Brook Mamo, Arcader (Pty) Ltd’s group marketing manager says: “All our exhibitors wish to meet manufacturers, importers, distributors, agent wholesalers and retailers. As companies that have never exported into Africa before, they are looking forward to the show.” Products that will be displayed include high-quality honey from Sonia Enterprise plc, coffee from Ayal Damtew International Trading plc, Arabica coffee from Almaz Zeleke Trading plc, sweet honey from Beza Mar Agro-Industry plc, as well as the aromatic flavours of Mulege Coffee plc’s coffees. Ethiopia’s largest agro-industry organisation, Elfora will also be exhibiting.

Denmark

Danish meat processing company MPS will be using AB7 as an opportunity to interact with manufacturers of meat and dairy products. Annet Emaus-Ordelman in MPS marketing communication department says: “MPS would like to meet manufacturers of meat and dairy products, we would also like to interact with retailers because of our activities in the warehousing of products.” MPS is a global market leader in the development, production and installation of high-tech slaughtering systems. The company is currently exporting world-wide, including to several North African countries.

Germany

German company Nölken Hygiene Products GmbH will be bringing its latest product range Babyline Mom to AB7. Babyline Mom is a new care line for pregnant women. “The expo creates a great opportunity for us to make new contacts in South Africa and to build the awareness we created for our products last year,” says Head of Sales, Thomas Schnitter. “We are really looking forward to this year’s show and hope to conclude some good business deals.”

Spain

Aguas de Mondariz searched the Internet for influential food and beverage shows in Africa. “We came across AB7 whilst looking for a show at which we could launch our bottled Mondariz brand of natural mineral water,” says Miranda Clegg, Director of Exports at Aguas de Mondariz. “We are particularly interested in Southern African territories.” Aguas de Mondariz will be launching their Spanish Mondariz natural mineral water in glass and PET (polyethylene terephthalate-plastic) formats. In addition the company will be showing their limited edition Elite by Mondariz products, which are packaged in glass.

Ukraine

Proud of the quality of their products, Ichnyansky - the only company in the Ukraine that is currently producing condensed milk products - will be showcasing their range of products. “We are using AB7 as our launch pad into Africa,” says Kovtun Elena, from Ichnyansky’s Commercial Department. “We hope to meet many importers and distributors at the show.”

China

A number of Chinese companies will be showcasing their latest technical innovations at Africa’s Big Seven. Hangzhou Ruijiang Chemical Co. Ltd - a leading manufacturer of food ingredients - will be displaying a range of products which includes sodium, erythorbate, phosphates, citric acid and vital wheat gluten available for exporting. This is a stand not to be missed. Fufeng Food is a technological leader in the production of Xanthan gum which is used as a safe food additive. An environmentally friendly product, Xanthan gum is widely used as a resistant thickener, emulsifier and a high velocity filling agent in various foods and beverages.