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Seven year success
PhytoTrade Africa has launched two new baobab products – baobab fruit powder and baobab extract. The move follows the EU’s decision in 2008 to allow PhytoTrade Africa and its partners to market baobab in Europe and brings to eleven the number of new Southern African products we have brought to the international market since 2002.
Baobab fruit powder and baobab extract provide food and drink manufacturers worldwide with an exciting new African flavour and a host of nutritional benefits. They have been developed in partnership with the South African specialist ingredients company Afriplex, who are also working on a 100% natural baobab flavour extract.
Last year, in partnership with the French cosmetics ingredients company Aldivia, we launched six Ubuntu™ oils for the worldwide cosmetics market. The Ubuntu™ oils are high quality cold pressed and filtered extra virgin oils from baobab, mongongo, ximenia, marula, mafura and Kalahari melon seed. They have already attracted demand from several of the biggest brand names in the global cosmetics and personal care industry including The Body Shop International. Also with Aldivia we have made significant progress on the development of marula oil with enhanced antioxidant properties.
Two extracts of Kigelia – the African sausage tree – have been developed for the cosmetics market with Afriplex and UK-based Blue Sky Botanics. We are also working with Southern African producers to market the herbal medicine Devil’s Claw from sustainable and fair trade sources.
PhytoTrade Africa’s market development manager Cyril Lombard says, “It has been an action-packed seven years. Launching these products has required not only product development but also hard work in building up the supply chain and generating market awareness and demand. “Our success so far confirms that there is a genuine international market for Southern African natural products that will deliver much-needed economic support to the region’s rural poor.”
Far from resting on its laurels, PhytoTrade Africa has also used the last few years to review the commercial potential of all indigenous Southern African plants and identify the 35 most promising species. We are already at work developing these for the market. Here’s to the next seven years!
Growth of naturals set to benefit Southern African producers
Demand for natural African oils produced by PhytoTrade Africa members looks set to increase despite the slowdown in the global economy, following a new report by specialist research company Organic Monitor. In January this year the company reported that sales of natural and organic cosmetics are continuing to rise. 2008 was a record year in Europe with sales topping US$2 billion for the first time and global sales are increasing by over US$1 billion per year.
Organic Monitor says that healthy market growth is continuing in 2009 - much of it in mass market retailers, especially in retailer private labels that offer consumers low-price quality products. Natural and organic cosmetic products, once found only in health shops or exclusive department stores, are now on the shelves of every supermarket and many European retail chains – including Tesco and Carrefour – have developed their own-label ranges.
Demand for naturals is also being driven by consumer concern over chemicals in cosmetic products and their possible ill effects as well as people’s desire to choose products that are environmentally friendly. One of the key trends noted by Organic Monitor is that European consumers are becoming more discerning when it comes to product claims. Today’s consumer is more likely both to be wary of unscrupulous use of the terms ‘natural’ and ‘organic’, and to look for credentials – such as Ecocert or Soil Association certification - to back up any claims.
Accredited Partner Scheme Launched
PhytoTrade Africa has launched an Accredited Partner scheme designed to acknowledge those companies that are creating food and personal care ranges that will increase benefits to rural communities in Southern Africa. Under the scheme, companies can feature the PhytoTrade Accredited Partner logo on their product packaging and in their marketing materials.
To be eligible, companies must not only buy ingredients from PhytoTrade Africa, or its members, and prove that their supply chains are ethical and sustainable, but must also meet minimum standards on product quality and distribution. PhytoTrade Africa is proud to announce that our inaugural Accredited Partners are Rain (www.rainafrica.com); Esse Organic Skincare (www.esse.co.za) and African Earthworks (www.africanearthworks.com).
Biofach Busy in 2009
Biofach, the world’s leading organic trade fair, took place in Nuremberg, Germany from 19 to 22 February this year. According to Arthur Stevens, PhytoTrade Africa’s Supply Development Manager, there was little sign of recession and even the heavy snow falls failed to dampen the upbeat mood.
Attendance at the show was high with almost 50,000 visitors from 129 different countries and 2,700 exhibitors. Among these were three PhytoTrade Africa members all of whom had stands in the Africa Pavilion. They were Swazi Indigenous Products; Ecoso Dynamics of Namibia; and Mokuti Herbs International of South Africa.
 ‘We received an extremely enthusiastic response at Biofach’, said John Pearce, Director of Swazi Secrets. ‘Our colourful and interactive stand attracted over 120 visitors during the four days and generated interest from new distributors in Germany, Italy, Finland, Israel, Slovenia, Poland and Portugal. It has enabled us to develop a truly international profile for our product line.’
For further information contact:
Lucy Welford, PhytoTrade Africa
lucy@phytotradeafrica.com
Phone +27 21 790 5707
Mobile +27 763 750220
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