FPPE 2015 confirms: East Africa is a market with future potential

The third Food Processing & Packaging Expo (FPPE), held from November 3 to 5, 2015, at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, once again highlighted that Kenya and the neighboring East African countries possess significant future potential for providers of processing and packaging technology. Currently, due to poor processing, packaging, and inadequate infrastructure, enormous quantities of locally produced food are lost before reaching consumers. Therefore, the topic SAVE FOOD, involving partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and Messe Düsseldorf, was a focus of the conference part of the FPPE.

The feedback from around 920 visitors confirmed it: the special event format of the FPPE – a combination of conference and exhibition with a clear focus on the needs of visitors and exhibitors – has proven successful even in its third edition. After all, the East African market has its own unique requirements, as Bernd Jablonowski, Global Portfolio Director Packaging and Processing at Messe Düsseldorf, emphasizes: "Anyone who wants to operate successfully in East African countries and unlock the enormous market potential early on needs a dedicated understanding of the local conditions, the right contacts, and not least, a bit of patience." The exhibitors also echoed this sentiment, referring to the market potential that needs to be tapped into.

"The clear thematic focus of the conference part on relevant government and association topics, the issue of food losses, as well as demand-oriented processing and packaging solutions, was very well received by visitors," comments Thomas Dohse, Deputy Director at Messe Düsseldorf.

As part of the FPPE exhibition, there was for the first time a German joint stand, with 17 exhibitors participating, as well as a joint presentation of the aluminum foil industry involving five companies.

The next Food Processing & Packaging Expo will take place one year later, from December 5 to 7, 2016, again at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi.