Seven Ugandan companies have participated in the 34th Edition of MACFRUT 2017, in Rimini, Italy, where they showcased some horticultural commodities including cayenne pepper, red pepper, ginger and green beans from 10th-12th May 2017.
Other commodities they exhibited included common beans sorted according to color, sweet potatoes and sugar canes.
The delegation was organized by the Uganda Export Promotion Board as part of its mandate, under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant public and private sector institutions.
They were given technical support by the Embassy of Italy in Kampala, Italian Trade Agency and Uganda Fruits and Vegetables Exporters and Producers Association.
The fruits and vegetables exporters were accommodated and provided with access inland transport during the 3 days in Italy.
In addition to reinforcing the Uganda Exhibitors, the Uganda delegation from the Rome Mission participated in the opening session of the Trade Fair.
The function which was held at Agora Hall was addressed by high-level Italian Officials. The major messages in the opening function were reinforcement of the importance of the trade fair, as it brings different players in the horticultural sector to demonstrate the best technologies, inputs and other aspects to enhance agricultural value chains and performance of the horticultural industry.
“MACFRUT is considered the most important Italian Agricultural Trade Fair in the horticultural sector, specifically dedicated to the entire fruit and vegetable sector. The fair attracts many leading players in the horticultural industry, and especially in the fruit and vegetable value chains” said Mr. Robert Sabiiti, Agricultural Attaché at the Uganda Embassy in Rome.
Italy is one of Uganda’s key export destinations in the Europe Union contributing USD 23m in 2016 of the total exports to the EU region.
Explaining the relevance and importance of Ugandan participation in the fair, Amb. Mumtaz Kassam, Deputy Head of Mission at the Uganda Embassy in Rome said “For Uganda as an agro-based economy, exhibitions such as Macfruit in Italy highlight the importance of not only market access but how to prevent pre-harvest and post-harvest losses. Italian companies also have up-to-date packaging material and technical know-how that Ugandan farmers can learn from to improve the quality and quantity of their products. We hope more companies can participate next year.”
Participants were encouraged to explore and interact with as many companies and exhibitors as possible and get ample contacts and information to facilitate future transactions.
The companies which participated were Tropical Dynasty Ltd, Jofi Fresh Produce Ltd, Fast Movers Ltd, RP international Ltd, Roki Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Aseel Impex Ltd and Jay Fortune Ltd.