After the resounding success of Africa’s first Organic and Natural Products Expo in 2022, the South African Trade Promotions (SATP) is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of the event this September. With a new venue, revised dates, and an exciting new partner, this year’s expo promises to be even more remarkable.
SATP’s investment of over R1 million in the 2022 launch reaped remarkable growth and industry engagement. The response from exhibitors, industry professionals, and consumers was overwhelming, prompting organisers to expand and enhance the event to meet the increasing demand for organic and natural products that resonate with consumers’ values of healthier living and a sustainable planet.
Record turnout on the cards
Inquiries about the 2023 show flooded in as details were unveiled on various social media platforms. Organisers are now fielding over 50 queries daily from potential exhibitors and visitors, pointing towards a record turnout in 2023.
Exhibitor Zanthe Burger, director of Own it Cosmetics, attributes the growing interest in this year’s event to her personal experience at the previous expo, stating, “The show provided us with exceptional business opportunities. We had the pleasure of connecting with numerous organisations for potential collaborations while reaching out to an entirely new market segment previously unaware of our brand.”
Warren Hickenbotham, the event co-organiser, revealed that this year’s expo will elevate interactions to an unprecedented level through innovative improvements.
“This year’s expo will revolutionise how people interact as we introduce a ground-breaking addition: the African Biotrade Festival,” he explains. “By incorporating this festival into the expo, attendees can expect a vibrant platform for collaboration and exchange.”
The African Biotrade Festival, a collaboration with the German aid agency GIZ and supported by South Africa’s departments of forestry, fisheries and the environment, and trade, industry, and competition, will be a game-changer for the expo.
It will encompass hosted overseas buyers, thought-provoking conferences, engaging workshops, productive matchmaking sessions, dynamic B2B forums, captivating demonstrations, and a plethora of investment and trade opportunities.
Save the date!
Scheduled to take place from 14 to 16 September at the prestigious Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, the expo aims to provide valuable opportunities for companies to expand their markets. Focusing on five critical natural market segments, including food and beverages, health, beauty, living, and the environment, this event is the solo exhibition of its kind on the continent, showcasing product offerings from exhibitors across the continent.
The expo organisers are also the proprietors of the portal www.organicandnaturalportal.com, which garners over 5 000 hits per month. Participating exhibitors are offered 365 days of exposure through the portal. The portal’s extensive audience and active social media engagement underline the event’s widespread interest and excitement.
“The organic and natural products market in Africa is growing steadily,” continues Hickenbotham. “For the food and beverage sector, this was evidenced by the increase in certified farms – from 35 in 1999 to 250 in 2018, and by the growth in the range of organic products offered by retailers, food markets, and speciality shops.”
The global organic food and beverages market, valued at US$188.35 billion in 2021, is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.0% from 2022 to 2030.
“Our expo offers the perfect platform for companies to promote their products and build business relationships with potential buyers across the African continent – and beyond,” concludes Hickenbotham.
For more information on the Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa, visit https://www.organicandnaturalportal.com/expo/. For details about the African Biotrade Festival, visit https://africanbiotradefestival.org/.
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