MSC, a fruitful partner between Africa and Europe

MSC, a fruitful partner between Africa and Europe
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Africa is a fruit powerhouse and Europe loves it. In recent years, the African continent has supplied a significant part of Europe’s fresh fruit consumption and it is not going to slow down any time soon. These delicious and nutritious fruits have found their way into European cuisine, making people healthier and happier than ever.

Africa’s fruit production:

The 54-country continent is the ideal spot for tropical fruit, with bananas, mangoes, pineapples, avocados and citrus fruits being among the top exports from many African countries. These fruits not only bring foreign exchange earnings to the countries, but also provide jobs for farmers and their families throughout the value chain, from farming and harvesting to processing, transportation and marketing.

The fruit industry does more than just make money and create jobs. It also contributes to the construction of better roads and transportation systems, which can improve the region’s economy. As the industry grows, more small farmers can sell their products in global markets, helping them make more money and helping their countries develop. With good shipping and exporting, countries like Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal and Ivory Coast can easily sell their fruits to Europe and earn more money for their farmers and their families.

Annick Okeni, Import and Export Reefer Manager at MSC Côte d’Ivoire says: “Here in Côte d’Ivoire we are one of the big players in the African fruit industry, with mangoes and bananas making up a whopping 84% of their fruit exports. Thanks to improved infrastructure and increased investment in the sector, the country’s fruit exports have increased in quality and quantity, making them a reliable supplier to the European fruit market.”

Senegal is another major player in the African fruit industry, with a focus on sustainable production and improved supply chain management. Caroline Diagne, Trade Coordinator at MSC, adds: “The fruit industry has doubled its exports in four years and its operators are finding ways to integrate with new distribution channels due to market globalization. They produce a variety of fruits including mangoes, bananas, citrus and papayas and have become a competitive player in the European fruit market.”

Patrick Malanga, Marketing Manager at MSC Kenya, highlights Kenya’s impressive presence in the fruit industry. He notes that the country is focused on exporting its wide variety of fruits, including pineapples, avocados, mangoes and bananas, to Europe and the Middle East. With MSC’s expertise, the local industry can efficiently ship their delicious fruit to these markets. MSC offers comprehensive packages including local knowledge, appropriate refrigeration equipment and competitive ground transportation to support the industry.

“Tanzania’s fruit industry has thrived in recent years, with avocados and pineapples being the main exports, along with mangoes, oranges, lemons and bananas,” said Paskal Madede, sales manager at MSC Tanzania. With the redevelopment of the port of Dar es Salaam nearing completion, the future for the transportation of fresh produce in Tanzania is looking bright.

Zimbabwe also has a growing fruit industry with a focus on avocado production, lychees, pineapples, bananas and oranges. Although the main market was the local market, this is changing with the advent of the Middle East and Gulf markets. “Zimbabwe exports blueberries and peas to European markets and although Zimbabwe is a landlocked country, fruits such as oranges and avocados are shipped to South Africa for onward shipment to the Far East, Europe and the Middle East. Zimbabwe’s producers are optimistic as more companies invest in fruit and vegetable production for export,” adds Phumzile Ntshingila, commercial director at MSC Zimbabwe.

The European Union (EU) favors fruit produced in Africa and is the largest market for African horticultural exports, valued at €3.3 billion in 2015. In 2020, Europe imported a total of around 2.7 million tonnes of fresh fruit from Africa worth 2.5 billion euros.

The challenges for African fruit producers:

African fruit producers face many problems that make it difficult for them to succeed. The roads, ports and transportation can be difficult, making it difficult to get their products to market. As a result, the fruit can spoil and the farmers cannot earn as much money. Also, farmers may not be able to get the money they need to grow their business or learn new technologies. Climate change is also a challenge that can alter the timing of planting and harvesting, making it more difficult to grow high-quality fruit.

How MSC is driving growth in Africa:

MSC is the leading shipping company in Africa to European countries. It supports African producers with reliable transport services and optimal conditions for machines and systems. MSC also offers advanced and modern refrigerated containers to maintain fruit quality over longer periods and direct service to meet customer needs with short transit times.

The shipper can efficiently transport tropical fruits to different markets with its new services. For example, they have a direct service from Dakar to the north-west continent every 10 days and deliver directly to Valencia in Spain, which takes six days. They also have strong land logistics support, with dedicated trucks equipped and reliable to deliver fresh goods in great condition.

Finally, it should be noted that Africa’s fruit industry is currently booming and Europe wants more of its fresh produce. Not only are these fruits delicious, but they also offer economic opportunities for African countries while offering healthy and nutritious options for Europeans.

https://www.msc.com/

Source: News Network

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