Post by Trade facilitator on Mar 11, 2015 12:45:02 GMT 1
Emerging group of exporters are making money from exporting African foods to meet the needs of Nigerians and other Africans abroad. The increase in prices of such commodities is creating opportunities for more people, reports DANIEL ESSIET.
A lot of Nigerians and other Africans abroad may have enjoyed all kinds of delicacies beef, pork, poultry, meat, fish, cheese, milk, vegetables and fruits domiciled in their country of abode may offer. But their crave for local dishes, such as egusi, amala, pounded yam, and Oha soup has not diminished.
In last 20 years, restaurant across Europe and America have thrived, making these delicacies a regular feature on their menus. To sustain their business, they have practically created a good opportunity for exporters, who have since been supplying them with a variety of foodstuffs to keep their business going.
The sheer volume of those involved in the running of these African kitchens, as they were, has indicated that a massive supply gap must be plugged, especially on a daily basis.
Adressing a seminar in Lagos, the Chief Executive, The Thy Consulting, Ismail AbdulAzeez, said the demand for local foodstuffs in Europe and America is rising due to increasing number of Africans, particularly Nigerians, sojourning there.
This, he explained, has created the need for foodstuffs exporters to supply African restaurants in the United States (US) and Europe.
He listed the commodities as smoked fish; garri; beans flour; melon seed; ogbono; cassava flour; bitter leaf; dried pumpkin leaf; pepper; pap and vegetable leaves, among others.
According to him, there is a market for traditional and innovative food products in North America and Europe, but that buyers are interested in high-quality food products and strict safety standards.
He explained that food stuff presents a great opportunity for small companies to enter overseas food market .
The volume of Nigerian export of foodstuffs to these countries is still on a very small scale considering the estimation of well over 20 million Nigerians, who reside outside the country, with the majority living in the United Kingdom (UK) and the US. This, he noted, has created opportunity for more Nigerians to come into the business to meet increasing demand.
Describing it as an opportunity for Nigerians, who want to start small export business, Abdul Azeez said the first thing is to find out from a relative abroad what kinds of local delicacies are in demand.
After that the new entrants will identify where to source such produce locally.
According to him, exporters of agricultural consumer products would be well served to get in touch with knowledgeable Nigerians living in Europe and the US as many members have a great degree of expertise about the complex market. For food products to do well, a combination of good marketing and attractive packaging, he said, is a must together with quality produce.
Though one can start small, he advised on the need to incorporate a limited liability company, register with Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC), have an e-mail address, a mobile phone and a domiciliary account with a bank.
He emphasised the need for local training to reduce losses incurred by Nigerian exporters due to non-compliance with health standards on food produce exports.
He said with the large number of Africans in the Diaspora, the potential of food export business is vast in Europe and America where Nigerians visiting such places flock to ethnic-food shops, supermarkets, natural and organic food stores, fair trade co-ops, industrial end-users, and the many layers within the food service industry to buy local foodstuffs.
According to him, foods export opportunities exist around the world and some key markets have the potential for increased purchases from local exporters.
Small food stuff exporters, he said, have an opportunity to build on strong reputation for quality food produce and grow sales in few years.
Source: thenationonlineng.net/new/making-money-from-foodstuff-export/
A lot of Nigerians and other Africans abroad may have enjoyed all kinds of delicacies beef, pork, poultry, meat, fish, cheese, milk, vegetables and fruits domiciled in their country of abode may offer. But their crave for local dishes, such as egusi, amala, pounded yam, and Oha soup has not diminished.
In last 20 years, restaurant across Europe and America have thrived, making these delicacies a regular feature on their menus. To sustain their business, they have practically created a good opportunity for exporters, who have since been supplying them with a variety of foodstuffs to keep their business going.
The sheer volume of those involved in the running of these African kitchens, as they were, has indicated that a massive supply gap must be plugged, especially on a daily basis.
Adressing a seminar in Lagos, the Chief Executive, The Thy Consulting, Ismail AbdulAzeez, said the demand for local foodstuffs in Europe and America is rising due to increasing number of Africans, particularly Nigerians, sojourning there.
This, he explained, has created the need for foodstuffs exporters to supply African restaurants in the United States (US) and Europe.
He listed the commodities as smoked fish; garri; beans flour; melon seed; ogbono; cassava flour; bitter leaf; dried pumpkin leaf; pepper; pap and vegetable leaves, among others.
According to him, there is a market for traditional and innovative food products in North America and Europe, but that buyers are interested in high-quality food products and strict safety standards.
He explained that food stuff presents a great opportunity for small companies to enter overseas food market .
The volume of Nigerian export of foodstuffs to these countries is still on a very small scale considering the estimation of well over 20 million Nigerians, who reside outside the country, with the majority living in the United Kingdom (UK) and the US. This, he noted, has created opportunity for more Nigerians to come into the business to meet increasing demand.
Describing it as an opportunity for Nigerians, who want to start small export business, Abdul Azeez said the first thing is to find out from a relative abroad what kinds of local delicacies are in demand.
After that the new entrants will identify where to source such produce locally.
According to him, exporters of agricultural consumer products would be well served to get in touch with knowledgeable Nigerians living in Europe and the US as many members have a great degree of expertise about the complex market. For food products to do well, a combination of good marketing and attractive packaging, he said, is a must together with quality produce.
Though one can start small, he advised on the need to incorporate a limited liability company, register with Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC), have an e-mail address, a mobile phone and a domiciliary account with a bank.
He emphasised the need for local training to reduce losses incurred by Nigerian exporters due to non-compliance with health standards on food produce exports.
He said with the large number of Africans in the Diaspora, the potential of food export business is vast in Europe and America where Nigerians visiting such places flock to ethnic-food shops, supermarkets, natural and organic food stores, fair trade co-ops, industrial end-users, and the many layers within the food service industry to buy local foodstuffs.
According to him, foods export opportunities exist around the world and some key markets have the potential for increased purchases from local exporters.
Small food stuff exporters, he said, have an opportunity to build on strong reputation for quality food produce and grow sales in few years.
Source: thenationonlineng.net/new/making-money-from-foodstuff-export/
