Conceptualised as a “for Africa by Africa” event, exhibition company Messe München South Africa (SA) will host the third biennial food and drink technology Africa (fdt Africa) exhibition from September 4 to 6 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, next year.

The exhibition provides a platform to network and for exchange between local and global manufacturers of food, beverage and packaging technology in South Africa, while covering neighbouring countries, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana.

“The aim of fdt Africa 2018 is to consolidate the existing target groups of exhibitors and visitors, and acquire new ones through specific measures,” Messe München SA CEO Elaine Crewe explains, noting that, particularly, the food, winery and brewery sectors offer great potential for future growth.

The event will move to the largest hall (Hall 5) of the Convention Centre, owing to increasing interest and participation in the event. There was a 40% increase in participants, with an additional 20% of exhibition space for fdt Africa 2016, compared with the 2014 event.

“We have powerful international support, which has led to fdt Africa establishing a strong relationship with suppliers of technology for the brewery and winery industry, including bottle-filling machinery manufacturer and distributor KHS Manufacturers, measuring instruments supplier Instek Control, turnkey solution provider for the craft beer and soft drink industry Dematech and brewing supply store BevPLUS, as well as process solutions provider Pentair Food and Beverage,” Crewe enthuses.

She adds that fdt Africa’s goal is to further expand perspective on the poten- tial that Africa offers to the sector, including raw materials, agriculture and analytical equipment and water treatment.

Growth Opportunities

The craft brewing industry has grown dramatically in the South African market over the past five years, and new beer concepts are yet to be identified in the African market, Crewe states.

“Wines exhibited at fdt Africa are world-renowned award winners, with innovations in not only the production of wines but also the packaging and label technologies that are ever changing to meet customer requirements.”

However, Crewe highlights that, while fdt Africa focuses on technologies for safe, hygienic and resource-efficient production and packaging of foodstuffs, liquid food and beverages is a major topic in the industry, as is “green” innovation in terms of recycling and innovative materials.

“Packaging manufacturers are always looking to develop new concepts and ideas on improving their environmental impact, be it recycled materials, reducing the mass of packaging or through using innovative materials that have a low impact on the environment,” she explains.

After the first fdt Africa in 2014, fdt Africa 2016 covered the entire value chain of the food and beverage industry, packaging components and logistics, as well as offered solutions to the challenges and demands of the market in Southern Africa.

Crewe concludes that fdt Africa 2016 exceeded the first event, with a turnout of about 1 550 participants from 35 countries, including Botswana, Namibia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, compared with 1 100 participants in 2014.