100 Nigerian food firms participate in global marketplace on Promosalons’ ticket

Promosalons Nigeria Limited has taken about 100 Nigerian companies to this year’s Salon International de l’Agroalimentaire (SIAL) Trade Show, world number one global foods marketplace, holding from October 19 to 23, in Paris, France. SIAL is the trade show dedicated to the agri-food industry, food retail, institutional and commercial catering.

Before their departure to France, Akin Akinbola, managing director/CEO, Promosalons, said “we are pleased to inform you that close to 100 Nigerian companies will be attending this year SIAL, which is a global food marketplace for the industry professionals, as the market cuts across sectors such as beverages, seafood products, wine and spirits, fruit and vegetables, grocery and gourmet products, dairy products, delicatessen products and ready-cooked dishes, be it fresh or processed, etc.”

Akinbola also explained that this yearly event will feature 6,300 exhibitors from all over the world with 105 countries represented, and that “Nigeria has a delegation of close to 100 companies among which are Delifrost; Prince Ebeano and Company; Ekulo Group of Companies; Flour Mills of Nigeria; FMCG Groceries Limited; La Pointe Delictessen; U.B. UgoBest International Limited; Vik Industries, and so on.”

SIAL not only provides the opportunity to taste food products and pinpoint future commercial successes, but also an avenue to meet new business partners with a view to have fruitful cooperation in the future, he said further. The Nigerian companies are expected to give presentations at the event that covers all sectors of activity such as grocery products, fresh produce and dry goods, frozen foods, semi-processed food products and ingredients, seafood products, organic foods, meats, and dairy products. Also, wine exhibitors, producers and merchants who will enable the companies explore a wide variety of wines, produced worldwide, are available at the event.

Akinbola also stated that as in past exhibitions, SIAL 2014 will hold the unique SIAL Innovation event, which is an exceptional communication springboard for exhibitors wanting to display new products. Akinbola also explained, “SIAL Innovation also aims to produce a precise assessment of the most promising food trends for its visitors. Another flagship event, the World Tour by SIAL – organised in partnership with 28 world trade magazines specialising in agrifood – will help you understand the specific characteristics of the food market by geographical area, discover the best-selling products and obtain all the information required to define your export strategy.”

“There are 7 billion people on the planet today… and there will be 9 billion by the year 2050, and all of them will need to be able to eat and take pleasure in eating,” Akinbola said, adding “more than ever, above and beyond political and economic tensions, the world of food is a place of universal exchange.”

Explaining further, he said, “Food industry professionals throughout the world are creating and building the future of the way we eat. Innovation is the most reliable and valuable of all economic predictors.

More than ever, innovation will be the catalyst for growth for the successful companies taking part in this challenge. Faced with a dramatic acceleration in consumer needs, innovation stands out as the pivotal strategic focus for maintaining and developing the competitiveness of our food companies.”

According to the organisers of SIAL, “Innovation and SIAL have been constant companions for the last 50 years. With its never-ending commitment to innovation, SIAL has become the guidebook par excellence to trends in the food industry on a global scale. Whereas innovation is now a global issue, it is even more crucial for boosting the French food industry. Exhibitors should not lose sight of the fact that, with its 11,852 companies (98% of which are SMEs or very small businesses), the food industry in France plays a vital role in the country’s vitality in terms of turnover and jobs.

“SIAL offers its innovative exhibitors a springboard for enhancing their international profile among key buyers in the industry… and much more besides since, in addition to the October 2014 exhibition, SIAL will be supporting innovative French businesses at Expo Milano 2015 in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.”

The organisers also opined that with 50 years’ experience and a global presence backed up by more than 10 exhibitions across the world, SIAL had truly become a key platform for global food supply and demand.

The SIAL expo organisers stated, “we build bridges and promote encounters and opportunities between industry professionals. With each successive edition of SIAL Paris, we have endeavoured to make the exhibition much more than a simple tradeshow – a multicultural network, a forum for exchange and inspiration that helps companies on the road to future success. It is expected that SIAL Paris 2014 will pursue these goals with pride, unveiling the major trends and innovations that will soon be influencing chefs and revitalising supermarket shelves. The atmosphere this year will be particularly festive as we mark the 50th anniversary of SIAL Paris. Although the celebrations have already begun in Canada, China, Brazil and the Philippines, Paris – the birthplace of SIAL – will, of course, be the climax.”

OSA VICTOR OBAYAGBONA

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