Africa’s foremost Food & Beverage Trade event grows by 47% in one year

With food prices soaring across the globe and export and import restrictions being implemented by some countries, buyers are keen to identify reliable alternative sources of supply. That is why the continent’s flagship food and beverage industry trade show – Africa’s Big Seven (AB7)- attracts an ever increasing number of international buyers and vendors.

They come to Johannesburg in July every year for one simple reason – there is lots of business to be done.

In 2010 AB7 attracted visitors from 45 countries and exhibitors from 39 countries. Exhibitors registered to attend in 2011 are already 47% up on the 2010 figure with many new countries such as Spain, Angola, Russia and Iran making first time appearances. 

“AB7 is the best place in Africa to make contact with anyone in the food industry,” says Ceyda Ozturk, Area Export Specialist for Pakmaya, one of Turkey’s leading baking industry suppliers and regular exhibitor at the trade show. If you add the comments of a visitor you can see why AB7 is the meeting place of choice. “I thought the exhibition was brilliant because we were really exposed to a lot of new products, particularly those from other countries that we wouldn’t normally see” said Lousea Meintjies, owner of a South African food service business.