Africa Food & Trade Forum concludes its first edition. Over 100 participants discussed Poland–Africa cooperation
More than 100 representatives of business, public institutions, economic organisations and diplomatic missions took part in the first Africa Food & Trade Forum at POLAGRA. The event created a platform for direct discussions, B2B meetings and the development of new trade relations between Poland and African markets.
The first edition of the Africa Food & Trade Forum has concluded. Held as part of POLAGRA, the event brought together more than 100 representatives of business, public administration, chambers of commerce, institutions supporting international trade and diplomatic missions. The Forum’s primary objective was to create a platform for direct discussions on developing economic cooperation between Poland and African countries, particularly in the agri-food sector.
The Africa Food & Trade Forum was created in response to the growing interest among Polish businesses in diversifying their export destinations and the increasing importance of African markets in global trade. The first edition demonstrated strong interest on both sides in developing economic relations between Poland and Africa.
More than 100 representatives of companies, public institutions, business organisations and diplomatic missions took part in the Forum. The event brought together Polish producers interested in international expansion and representatives of African markets looking for new products, suppliers and business partners.
Business, government and diplomacy at one table
The international character of the Forum was highlighted by the presence of representatives of diplomatic missions, including the Embassies of the Republic of Angola, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Senegal and Tunisia.
The event was also attended by representatives of institutions and organisations supporting international economic cooperation, including the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR), the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), the Polish-African Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Polish Chamber of Commerce of Importers, Exporters and Cooperation, the Oromia Chamber of Sectoral Association (OCSA), and the Algeria Poland Exchange Council (ALPECO).
The business community was also strongly represented. Participants included representatives of Polish food-sector companies such as Damaco, SM Koło, Iglotex, Paula Fish, Greenyard, Agrico, ZM Biernacki, Kawiks, Smak Górno, Olewnik, Geo-Poland, Polsero and Jantex, as well as entrepreneurs and organisations representing African markets.
This broad range of participants made it possible to explore economic cooperation from several perspectives – those of producers, importers, export-support institutions, public administration and diplomacy.
From market knowledge to concrete business talks
From the outset, the Africa Food & Trade Forum was designed not only as a conference, but above all as a platform for building direct business relationships.
The programme combined insights into the potential of individual markets with a presentation of the capabilities of the Polish agri-food sector and direct discussions between entrepreneurs.
An important part of the event was the Polish Food Export Showcase, which gave Polish producers an opportunity to present their businesses, export capabilities and product portfolios to international partners. This was followed by B2B meetings, providing a space to move from general interest in a particular market to direct contact with a specific company or institution.
This is particularly important in African markets, where understanding local conditions and building trust and direct relationships with partners can play a significant role in developing long-term business cooperation.
Africa as an increasingly important market for the food industry
Population growth, ongoing urbanisation, the expansion of the middle class, investment in infrastructure and changing consumption patterns are placing many African countries increasingly high on the agenda of international businesses.
For Polish producers, this creates new opportunities, but also requires thorough preparation for international expansion. Africa is not a single, uniform market – individual countries differ in terms of trade structures, regulations, consumer needs, distribution channels and business practices.
For this reason, one of the key objectives of the Africa Food & Trade Forum was to give entrepreneurs direct access to people and organisations with practical knowledge of specific markets.
POLAGRA strengthens its international dimension
The Africa Food & Trade Forum is part of POLAGRA’s continued development as an international business platform. For years, one of its key elements has been the Hosted Buyers programme, which brings selected importers, distributors and buyers interested in the Polish food sector to Poznań.
The Forum expands this model by focusing on building relationships with one of the world’s most dynamically changing regions.
The participation of more than 100 people in the first edition of the Africa Food & Trade Forum demonstrates the level of interest in this direction of cooperation. Even more important than attendance itself, however, were the conversations that took place in Poznań – between producers and importers, businesses and institutions, and representatives of Poland and African countries.
After all, long-term trade cooperation begins with a meeting, an exchange of information and the opportunity to get to know a potential partner.
The first edition of the Africa Food & Trade Forum has come to an end, but the conversations initiated during POLAGRA have the potential to continue long after the trade fair itself.