Being organised by Exhibition Mnaagement Services - EMS, Africa's Big Seven is a seven-in-one exhibition covering the entire food and beverage industry from crop to shop. AB7 is held annually together with the Southern African International Trade Exhibition. The show is co-located with the 19th Southern African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX) that features non-food retail products across all categories.
Together the two events host over 750 exhibitors from 35 countries. Trade buyers who visit from over 50 countries typically comprise importers, exporters, agents, distributors, wholesalers, supermarket chains and general retailers.
AB7 includes the Pan Africa Retail Trade Exhibition Food, Beverages and Merchandise; AgriFood; FoodTech Africa; DrinkTech Africa; Interbake Africa; Retail Solutions Africa; and FoodBiz Africa.
John Thomson, managing director, Exhibition Management Services, informed Ingredients South Asia (ISA) via-e-mail that almost a decade has gone by since Africa's Big Seven's (AB7) inception.
"AB7 is an inter-related composite of food and beverage events encompassing various segments including raw materials, processes and manufacturing technologies, packaging, food service equipment and retail-ready products. It has grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2003 and is now the biggest food and beverage exhibition on the African continent," he said.
"Last year's edition had the most attendees in the event's history. Over a quarter of the 200-odd countries in the world participated in it. This year, over 850 exhibitors from 40-plus countries will showcase their products at AB7 and the Southern African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX). We are expecting about 15,000 visitors. With over 3,000 items encompassing more than 400 product categories, AB7 2012 promises a 'feast of choice'," Thomson said.
The sectors profiled
ñ AgriFood: It focusses on agricultural outputs and agro processors that add value to these products
ñ FoodTech Africa: It features manufacturing, processing and packaging technology for food manufacturers
ñ DrinkTech Africa: It encompasses the entire beverage and liquid food business from raw materials, to blending, bottling, packaging and the finished products themselves
ñ FoodBiz Africa: It caters to the continent's fast-growing food service industries that include hotels, restaurants, caterers and fast food outlets
ñ InterBake Africa: It showcases all the ingredients, additives, equipment and technology to run a successful and profitable bakery
ñ Retail Trade Exhibition: It features food, beverages and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)
ñ Retail Solutions Africa: It provides retailers with access to latest "state-of-the-art" technology, systems and products that keep business profitable and ahead of their competitors
Halaal World
This is another concurrent event, but not a part of the aforementioned seven events. The organisers of the event said, "It provides a platform across all the elements of Africa's Big Seven and SAITEX for producers, suppliers and certifiers of Halaal products to identify with buyers who service this extensive customer base."
Most consistent
Thomson said, "FoodBiz Africa has been the most consistent in terms of growth. In fact, it is the fastest-growing and second most-popular sector event at Africa's Big Seven. We first introduced it into the line-up of exhibitions in 2008, and it has grown into an industry favourite. Interestingly, for the past three years, it has consistently ranked as one of the top two shows at AB7 that are of primary interest to viewers."
Why is AB7 popular?
According to Thomson, there are two factors responsible for the popularity of AB7. These are as follows:
ñ There has been tremendous growth in the tourism and hospitality industries
ñ People are now eating out more. This is a growing trend worldwide
Conferences
The following events and workshops will also run alongside the exhibition:
6th Agrifica - AgriBusiness Africa workshop and B2B sessions
It deals with tackling issues and solutions effecting agriculture and agribusiness in Africa. Marianna du Plessis is slated to speak at this conference.
On-line retailing
It provides an insight into the development, dynamics, innovation, technology and management of on- line retailing on a national and international basis.
It features the latest trends and challenges regarding technology, systems and products; how retail solution companies ensure customer satisfaction and experience; presentations by local and international retail solutions' experts.
The person involved with the Online Retail Conference is Danie Herbst of Trade Conferences International (TCI).
Retail Solutions Africa 2012 Conference
TCI's Mariette Broodryk is the contact person for this event.
The South African national Bottled Water Association (SNABWA) Conference
This event aims at ensuring sustainability, unlocking profitability in the industry.
It is organised by the South African national Bottled Water Association.
The contact person for this event is RCA Conference Organisers' Yolande Oosthuizen.
Halaal Conference
Yacoob Moulana, SA national Halaal Authority, will speak on the topic, 'navigating the Halaal Economy.'
New additions to AB7 2012
According to Thomson, there are a couple of new additions to the 2012 edition of the event. They are:
The Future of Trade Africa 2012
"This is a strategic briefing on how to do business in Africa. This event is all about providing delegates with the vital strategies and solutions needed to navigate the politics, economics, demographics, languages, regulations and red tape of doing business in Africa," he said. Stephen Oehley will be the speaker.
The DHL BRICS Africa Export Import Forum
"Dovetailing effectively with this event is the recently-launched DHL BRICS Africa Export Import Forum, which showcases the wide range of services and support available for South African businesses exploring trade in Africa and the BRIC countries [namely Brazil, Russia, India and China (four of the five fastest-growing economies of the world)]. Examples include transport supply chains; trade agencies; export/import consultants; banks; credit guarantors; insurers; trainers, and the media," informed Thomson.
The India connect
Although AB7 2012 does not have a specific theme, India has the status of a Partner nation at this edition, which is a first in the history of the event. Although India exhibitors have participated in the show for a number of years, this is the first time the country, now recognised as an economic powerhouse, has come on board as an event partner.
Thomson said, "India has a long history with South Africa going back more than a century. The two countries have deep-rooted business and cultural ties that far eclipse their years of cooperation at SAITEX. In addition, both countries are now members of BRICS. All that is what makes India's official participation this year even more significant"
"India attaches considerable importance to BRICS and welcomes South Africa's entry into this organisation of emerging economies," said Virendra Gupta, India's high commissioner to South Africa, adding that, "SAITEX provides us with a useful opportunity to meet with South African companies and business entities."
"We recommend to all India companies and organisations that have an interest in doing business in Africa that they seize the opportunities that this event has to offer to further such interests," said Gupta.
Thomson said, "We are delighted that India's long participation in the event has been officially cemented in this way," adding that, "We look forward to a rewarding future for both India and the African continent."
About 32 India companies have confirmed their participation in AB7 and about 54 India companies are likely to take part in SAITEX. India will occupy two national pavilions, situated in Halls 3 and 5.
Why invest in Africa?
"Africa has become an attractive marketing and investment destination because of its relatively high growth rate compared to the rest of the world. The average growth in Africa for 2012 is predicted to be about six per cent - double the average for the rest of the world. In fact, four of the ten fastest-growing economies in the world are in Africa - namely Angola; Ethiopia; Ghana, and Mozambique," Thomson said.
"Fuelled primarily by the minerals and commodities boom, Africa's growth has spawned a massive emerging middle-class with ever-increasing disposable income - pure buying power," he said.
Exhibitor profile
The event will bring together exhibitors of products like dry goods, groceries, frozen foods, convenience foods, fresh produce, flavourings, additives, beverages, premixes, ready mixes, shelf ready products, production, processing and packaging equipment, beverage processing technology, shop fittings, refrigeration, store layout, display equipments, lighting, point-of-sale systems, catering equipments, food preparation and preservation equipments, warming and heating equipments and back office software. More than 300 companies from various African, Asian and South American nations will participate in the event.
Visitor profile
Visitors profile includes owners, managing directors, directors or buyers from manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors/agents, retail independents, retail chains, retail conveniences, and importers.
