Hungarian agricultural companies have taken steps towards Africa

In addition to appearing at the two fairs, the representatives of the companies were also able to visit the capital of Ghana, Accra, where they could talk about their products, services, technology and their ideas for the African markets in front of many interested local businessmen and organization representatives at the local embassy. – Africa is an economically dynamic and even more amazingly growing market in terms of population. Just in the three countries we visited, it is worth looking at how much the population has grown in the last ten to fifteen years. Today, the population has exceeded 17 million in Senegal, 30 million in Ghana, and 50 million in Kenya. In addition, for example, Senegal also surrounds a smaller country, because Gambia only borders it, except for a small stretch of ocean, so its market of almost 3 million can be managed almost uniformly with that of its neighbor – shared his thoughts Dr. Csaba Németh, food engineer, c. university professor, who was also part of the Hungarian delegation.

Hungarian agricultural companies can enter a new market

So the current series of events, the main goal of which is to enable export-capable Hungarian companies to appear as exhibitors at the Senefood Expo in Dakar and DLP Expo Africa in Nairobi June 6-14, 2024. between, it can provide the participants with opportunities far beyond the countries concerned. Especially if we consider that Senegal and Ghana, where the companies were able to present themselves, are also members of the Economic Community of West African States. This organization, whose main goal is the development of economic cooperation between the states of the region, the promotion of economic development and stability, the creation of a customs union and a common market and the increase of the economic potential of its members, can be considered a unified market in many ways. The total population of the member states (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Cape Verde) exceeds 400 million people . – The numbers are approachable in many ways. Central Africa has a huge population, but purchasing power is much lower than even the more backward parts of Europe. Only a narrow circle can be targeted with truly premium products. At the same time, we hope that within a few years, development will make the purchase and consumption of dairy products accessible to a much wider range of people, and since the local population also has milk protein allergies, and the number of lactose intolerant people may exceed 70%, this may create a demand for egg protein-based also for dairy substitutes – continued his thoughts Dr. Csaba Németh, who presented the Hungarian-developed ToTu dairy substitute product line in Africa to local professionals and businessmen.

Local currencies are also worth mentioning

Although the three countries involved during the visit (Senegal, Ghana, Kenya) each use a different currency, the West African Currency Community Franc used in Senegal is the official currency of several countries in the region. In addition to the mentioned country, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, and Togo also use this currency pegged to the Euro. So it is hoped that more and more Hungarian agricultural products will appear on a huge and very interesting market.