As food security rises rapidly to the top of the international agenda, Sainsbury’s is working with the UK’s International Agri-Technology Centre (IATC) to arrange top-level meetings between UK food industry leaders, current and potential suppliers in Africa.
The face-to-face talks, to be held in Kenya and South Africa, are aimed at encouraging increased collaboration between UK companies and suppliers in Africa, to strengthen supply chains and increase business partnerships between the UK and Africa.
The conferences, which will take place in February, will help farmers and suppliers gain a greater understanding of quality management and the requirements of retailers and consumers in the UK.
Judith Batchelar, director of Sainsbury’s Brand, said: “Africa is really important to Sainsbury’s and our customers, not only because we are the biggest Fairtrade retailer but also because we source a wide variety of products from this vast continent. By holding these events we hope to increase understanding of the UK grocery market among African producers in order to build long-term, sustainable trading relationships.”
With more than 150 producers expected to attend the conferences, the IATC workshops will give the UK companies access to potential business partners, some requiring access to new technology and expertise in food production.
IATC director Philippa David said: “This is a great opportunity for the UK agri-food industry and we are aiming to turn this into an on-going long-term programme of collaboration to boost two-way trade between the UK and Africa. We are delighted that the IATC is able to work with Sainsbury’s on a major project like this - one that could benefit so many people in various different ways.”
She added: “As one of the UK’s major retailers, Sainsbury’s recognised the issues for the global food industry going forward and its recent work with Comic Relief highlighted the need for African producers to have more information and better links to the expertise and technology available in the UK.”
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