Content area
Full text
TRADE TRENDS
BIOFACH 2008
Africa had its own pavilion at Biofach, the World Organic Trade Fair in Nuremberg this year, which marked the first time African exporters were gathered under one roof in a concerted campaign to strengthen and promote 'Brand Africa'.
The number of exhibitors more than doubled to 75 this year in an effort to bring more visibility to African exporters. They are, in short, working examples of the ITC maxim 'export impact for good' and the fair was a wonderful showcase for the changing face of African organics.
Kenya: Design, diversity and quality
'Design', 'diversity' and 'quality' were words on the lips of visitors to the Kenyan stands where organically certified essential oils, herbal teas, coconut oil and macadamia nuts reflected the Kenyan tendency towards diversification and higher value products.
The semi-desert bushlands extending from Mount Kenya into Somalia are home to the spiny Boswellia and Commiphora trees. Since 2007, a small company called Arbor Oils of Africa has been using resin gathered by the nomadic Samburu tribe to produce the world's first organically certified frankincense.
The main reason why nobody has previously sought organic certification, according to Arbor Oil's Hilary Sommerlatte, is the remoteness of the areas in which the trees grow (eight hours north of Nairobi), which increases the logistical difficulty and cost of certification.
Some 200 Samburu households are now involved in collecting the resin, which last year was steam-distilled to extract around 200kg of essential oils. The organically certified frankincense sold for around 145 euros a litre, and the company is aiming for an output of 20 tonnes, which it considers a sustainable level of production.
The Mount Kenya region is also home to the Kenya Nut Company. Selling under the 'Out of Africa' brand name, the firm exports organically certified macadamia nuts (and some coffee), and was also appearing at Biofach for the first time. The company employs over 2,000 people and produces 1 ,500 tonnes of macadamia nuts, of which 1,000 tonnes are certified as organic.
'Most of our organic produce goes for export to Europe, the United States and the Far East,' said its representative Naomi Munga. Like many of the organic producers, she complained of the problems exporters face in getting...