Dutch ‘Fruit & Vegetables’ Business Development Trip to Ghana

GhanaVeg and the Netherlands-African Business Council (NABC) have joined forces with Frugi Venta to organize a 5-day business development trip for companies interested in exploring the horticulture sector in Ghana. The goal of this activity is to facilitate Dutch companies in exploring a new market full of opportunities, as both the Ghanaian domestic market and the export market offer interesting possibilities. Mr. Peter Verbaas, Deputy Director at Frugi Venta, will be acting as Head of Mission during this visit to Ghana, and will use his extensive (inter-)national experience in the fruit & vegetable-sector to support the participating Dutch companies in this undertaking.

During this specialized ‘fruit & vegetables’ trade mission, participants will be introduced to possible future business partners & clients, as well as meet relevant stakeholders to discuss the practicalities and requirements of setting up business in Ghana. The program furthermore includes field visits in both the coastal region (Greater Accra & Volta) and Northern Ghana (Tamale) as well as a business platform attended by over 150 horticulture stakeholders.

The fruit & vegetables sector in Ghana is a huge business opportunity for Dutch companies looking to expand to new markets. Ghana's growing middle-class (which currently comprises almost 50% of the population) demands high quality fresh food- specifically fresh and processed fruits & vegetables. This demand is not yet met with adequate local supply, which also results in a rising demand for horticulture technologies and products. In terms of export, Ghana’s tropical climate, geographical location and relatively well-developed infrastructure allow for export (both sea- and airfreight) of exotic fruit and vegetables like chilies, pineapple, mangos and Asian vegetables. Specific business opportunities have thus been identified for companies active in fruit & vegetable trade, seeds, fertilizers & other input-supplies, processing-, irrigation- and greenhouse technology and packaging material & machinery.

This mission is organized as a part of the GhanaVeg program, which is coordinated by Wageningen UR-Centre for Development Innovation, and works in partnership with IFDC and NABC. This initiative aims for further professionalization of the value chain for vegetable production and consumption in Ghana by means of (a.o.) expertise of and investment by the Dutch private sector. The GhanaVeg program comprises a long-term project in which Dutch companies are facilitated in setting up business in Ghana with relevant local content and contacts by a Ghana-based team. GhanaVeg also provides funding possibilities up to €50,000, with an equivalent private sector contribution (in kind or cash) for innovative projects that focus on a.o. supply chain integration and private extension services.

Date: September 7-11, 2015
Location: Accra & Tamale region
Maximum capacity: 14 participants

Questions? Please contact Marlou Rijk at marlou.rijk@nabc.nl or visit http://bit.ly/1LDEiuY

Website GhanaVeg: www.ghanaveg.org