Cairo, Egypt, XX March 2018: Africa Food Manufacturing (AFM), one of North Africa’s largest exhibitions dedicated to the Food & Beverage Packaging, Processing, Ingredients and Logistics industries, is currently witnessing significant growth in a number of its key sectors – mirroring wider industry growth according to the organisers, Informa Exhibitions.
Now in its 7th year, AFM attracts over 140 exhibiting companies on a yearly basis from both locally within Egypt and internationally – putting a key focus on providing end-to-end solutions for the food industry.
According to Alex Hawkes, Exhibition Manager for AFM, the negative aspects of 2016’s currency devaluation have been widely documented and felt. Soaring inflation, stretched budgets, severe restrictions on the repatriation of profits for international companies, the introduction of new tax laws and a 60 per cent increase in cost for most international products were all very real issues that the industry had to face in Egypt during the first half of 2017.
“Last year (2017) was certainly difficult, but the business landscape for 2018 is already looking brighter. What we are beginning to see now is the industry revival that the Egyptian government had planned. Manufacturing is increasing and export is becoming more of a focus, both from a trade visitor perspective as well as for our exhibitors. In addition, most of the problems we faced in 2016 have been weathered and showing signs of growth.
Africa Food Manufacturing 2018 reflects the more optimistic outlook that we are seeing this year. The exhibition connects suppliers from Packaging, Processing, Ingredients and Logistics with leading buyers from food manufacturers in the region. The show for the first time in its history sold out one month ahead of the open date, growing by 25 per cent. The exhibition will also hold a three-day seminar which will tackle various aspects of the food industry through multiple sessions provided by the leaders in the industry.” Said Hawkes.
A recent comment from Mars Wrigley’s CEO, Martin Radvan’s, clearly states that Egypt is a key market for them in terms of exporting products – with a goal of reaching USD 100 million annually by the end of 2018. Mars has also recently invested approximately USD 42.5 million on expanding its production in Egypt to meet its target of turning its local office into an ‘export hub’ for the Middle East.
Other key industry highlights include: Faragello aiming to boost exports to USD80m in 2018; the Polva Group announcing its first dairy production complex in Egypt amounting to an investment of 1.5bn EGP; Halwani Bros targeting an increase in exports of 20 per cent in 2018 and Domty, one of Egypt’s prominent Dairy products firm, going from a loss of 29m EGP in Q4 2016 to a 30.6m EGP net profit in Q4 – 2017.
“The fastest growing exhibitor subsector of the 2018 edition was the Ingredients subsector, which grew by 120 per cent from the 2017 edition. This growth is in direct correlation with what our major buyers have told us they are looking for this year. Major accounts including Doehler, Lactalis Ingredients, Dupont/Danisco, AWA, Ecore and Palsgaard have all decided to rebook this year and they are joined by a strong local exhibitor base for the first time including Misr Food Additives, Kamena, Aromatic Flavour and Fragrances, The Jaffan Group and many more,” added Hawkes.
In addition to a raft of new exhibitors and country pavilions, the organisers are hosting a series of free-to-attend seminar sessions that will take place over the three days. Attending industry professionals will be able to hear the latest industry news, developments and technologies from many experts of the industry.
Some of the key speakers already confirmed include; Ahmed Gaber, Chairman of the Chamber of Packaging and Printing, Egypt; Ahmed Taha, Executive Director of the Industrial Modernization Centre, Egypt and Ashraf El Gazaerly, Chairman of Food Industries, Egypt. Global research and consultancy firm Frost & Sullivan will also be conducting an overview session on Egypt’s food manufacturing industry.
For more information on Africa Food Manufacturing, taking place on the 21-23rd April at the Cairo International Convention & Exhibition Centre, please visit – www.africa-foodmanufacturing.com
