New exhibition concept for Africa

"In the US, it is a successful formula for several years and I think it will work for Africa as well", says Dick van Raamsdonk CEO of HPP exhibitions. For the first time, they are organizing a fresh produce exhibition (Fresh Produce Africa) alongside their International Floriculture Trade Fair (IFTEX) in Nairobi, Kenya (from June 6-8). According to Van Raamsdonk, this new concept is beneficial for the East African growers, as well as for the buyers.

Dick van Raamsdonk at the IFTEX 2017 in Nairobi.

"More often, fresh produce and fresh flowers are being combined, particularly in the US. More mass buyers are selling both, flowers and fresh produce. By combining FPA (Fresh Produce Africa) and IFTEX, we expand the product offer, which makes it even more attractive for buyers to visit the show."

The fresh produce industry and floriculture industry are both important industries for the Kenyan economy. However, unlike the flower industry, the growers of fruits and vegetables are used to travelling to the country where they are selling their products. Now, however, we ask the buyers to come to the country of production. Something completely different to the buyers, explains van Raamsdonk.

Also for the dyed-in-the-wool IFTEX exhibitor, the FPA seems to be an good addition. "More products attracts more buyers. On top of that, several flower growers also grow fruits and vegetables."

So, according to van Raamsdonk, this new concept makes the exhibition unique in two ways. "One it is the first time that buyers are being invited to the country where their fruits and vegetables are grown. Two, it is a totally new concept for Africa."

Exhibitors
The FPA will be held in the same building (Oshwahl Center) as the IFTEX and will host around 50-60 companies in the fresh produce industry (Click here for the list). In turn, this addition results in a 25 percent growth in total number of exhibitors.

The number of exhibitors for the IFTEX is quite stable for years (Click here for the list). This year, however, heavy rainfall made some growers, fortunately just a handful, decide not to attend. "The heavy rainfall severely damaged their crop and they therefore do not have to show something."

Visitors
The visitors are now starting to register and according to van Raamsdonk, the numbers are in line with last year. "The exhibitions will attract visitors from all over the world and the majority will register in the coming weeks." Also US and Chinese buyers are expected to come. "The end of this year, there will be direct flights between Kenya and the US and this makes it even more attractive for the Americans to come."

IGTF
Next to the FPA and IFTEX, HPP organizes more exhibitions. They just closed the doors of the international trade fair for the Iran Horticulture Industry, the IGTF, and today announced the date of the next edition; April 17 to April 19, 2019 in the Tehran Exhibition Center (TEC). “This exhibition ended last month with great success and HPP is planning to build further on the enormous potential the horticulture sector of Iran offers.”

For more information
HPP Exhibitons
Dick van Raamsdonk
Email: dick@hpp.nl
www.hppexhibitions.com

Fresh Produce Africa (FPA)
www.hppexhibitions.com

International Floriculture Trade Fair (IFTEX)
www.hppexhibitions.com/iftex