Organic Africa Pavilion during BioFach 2020: read about our activities

During BioFach 2020, the Organic Africa Pavilion hosted 22 companies and organisations representing more than 17 African countries. We are very happy that our exhibitors evaluated two thirds of our their business leads as important. In addition, ProFound has been very busy during the fair, and not only at the Organic Africa Pavilion.

“I have been to BioFach before just as a visitor, but I have to say that this is 20 times better because totally unexpected people can find you.” Hilary Sommerlatte, Arbor Oils of Africa, exhibitor from Kenya / Frankincense oil

A lot of interest for African products

The fifth edition of the Organic Africa Pavilion reflected the diversity of the African continent. Compared to previous years, more countries were represented; western countries like Burkina Faso and Togo, southern coutries such as Angola and Mozambique or eastern coutries including Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan.

Check out our video for an impression of this year’s pavilion or below this article for more pictures of BioFach 2020.

This diversity was also reflected in the wide range of products at the pavilion. Our exhibitors presented natural ingredients for food, cosmetics and health products including vegetable oils, spices, medicinal plants, essential oils, herbal teas and fruit juice. The companies underligned the general high interest for African products. If you would like to know more about the products and companies exhibiting at the pavilion in 2020, make sure to take a look at our leaflet.

“The highlight of my experience here (since it’s my first time at BioFach) is: looking at how people make their packaging, the way they present, how they interact and their knowledge of their products.” Francesca Doe, OM4D, exhibitor from Ghana / Cassava – cassava flour

ProFound services were rated very well by the exhibitors. This year, the pavilion was placed in a brand new hall next to the Novelty stand. The exhibitors managed to generate close to 900 business leads, even though it took BioFach visitors some time to find us in the new hall.

Organic Markets for Development (OM4D) program supported by our valued partner Agro Eco – Louis Bolk Institute took part in the Organic Africa Pavilion 2020. OM4D aims to create opportunities for the smallholder farmers by inclusion into domestic and international organic markets. We want to give special thanks to Agro Eco – Louis Bolk Institute.

Fishbowl session on the future and challenges of organic agriculture in Africa

Next to the fair, BioFach Congress offered a full program of conferences and talks. ProFound’s senior adviser Bert-Jan Ottens participated as a speaker in a fishbowl session about the future and challenges of organic agriculture in Africa. There was a strong interest for this complex topic; 45 minutes weren’t nearly enough to cover it. The discussion touched upon many complicated issues such as food safety, how supply is not able to meet demand, difficulties encountered by African entrepreneurs, as well as changes needed from policy makers.

Bert-Jan Ottens (ProFound), Kate Kibarah (Kate’s Organics) and David Amudavi (Biovision Africa Trust)

ProFound team worked on trade promotion at BioFach 2020

Our team was not only active on the Organic Africa Pavilion. Jolanda van Hal and Kasper Kerver worked on trade promotion with different country pavilions.

Jolanda worked closely with delegations from the Helvetas Biotrade project. She gave her support to the Vietnamese and Mynamar pavilions. Furthermore, she guided a study tour to the Laos delegation. In addition, she supported 8 companies from the Nepalese Stand with matchmaking activities on behalf of the German Import Promotion Desk.

Kasper was busy on supporting Albania’s first country pavilion with Vasil Kolezi (Export Promotion Manager of SIPPO) and Gustavo Ferro (SIPPO expert). The pavilion was organised by AIDA – Albanian Investment Development Agency.

Organic Africa Pavilion at BioFach 2021

We are already organising for BioFach 2021. Are you looking for a partner to introduce African companies to the European market? Or do you want to exhibit at the world’s leading trade fair for organic food? Contact Eugénie Häni at biofach@thisisprofound.com.