International buyers flock to Joburg’s first-ever Organics and Natural Products Expo

In fact, there are close to 3 million organic producers in the world, and a whopping 27% of these are based in Africa. Which is why the time is ripe for South Africa’s first-ever expo dedicated to the organics industry.

Following hot on the heels of the burgeoning trend in European trade expos, the Organics and Natural Products Expo will take place in Johannesburg at the Wanderers Stadium Deck, from 8-10 May, 2020.

Designed as a hybrid event that caters to trade buyers, while at the same time allowing retail sales directly to consumers, the expo is set to showcase local and international manufacturers, suppliers, importers and exporters.

As well as participants from the Organic Trade Fair Alliance, the expo has secured several international bodies to take part in the event. One such organisation is European business match-making platform, GIZ. “We are excited to partner with South Africa’s first-ever Organics and Natural Products Expo,” says Anja Teschner of GIZ. “We have been looking forward to an opportunity such as this, which will allow us to show European businesses the potential of the southern African organic market.”

As organics is such a fast-growing industry in Africa, the expo is looking to the continent for partners, too. After the highly successful West African Organic Conference, which took place in Accra in November, the Organics and Natural Products Expo has managed to secure a number of organisations and associations representing growers, processors, investors, entrepreneurs and exporters of organic foods. “They have committed to travelling to Johannesburg in May, and will bring with them a host of buyers and producers from West Africa,” says Thomson.

Locally, the event has garnered the support of many influential industry bodies and role players, including the South African Organic Sector Organisation, the Health Products Association, Organic Assurance Organisation PGS, the Cosmetic Export Promotion Council of SA, The South African National Halaal Authority, Slow Food (South African Chapter), with more endorsements in the pipeline.

With international suppliers and buyers flocking to the expo, spaces are expected to be sold out long in advance of the event, and local suppliers are therefore encouraged to book their spaces soon.

“We are passionate about the industry, and our aim is to promote people and products,” says Thomson. “This is why we have worked so hard to ensure the right people are attracted to the expo. We truly want to make a difference.”

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The Organic & Natural Products Expo 2020 takes place at the Wanderers Stadium, Corlett

Drive, Johannesburg from 8-10 May 2020 under the theme Once a trend: now mainstream.