After four days of vibrant festivities and fruitful discussions, the 10th edition of Angola’s Banana Fair concluded, leaving a significant mark on the local agricultural landscape. The event, held in the Bengo province, saw participation from local farmers, associations, cooperatives, and industry representatives from various parts of the country, all gathered to explore market expansion and production strengths.
Governor of Bengo province, Maria Antónia Nelumba, addressed the attendees during the fair’s closing ceremony, emphasizing the province’s commitment to advancing the banana industry. “We will continue to produce and invest in banana processing, in order to take advantage of the entire production chain,” she declared, highlighting the importance of value addition in ensuring sustainable growth.
The fair surpassed all expectations in terms of attendance and revenue, marking a successful milestone for its organizers. Hélder Cardete, representing Novagrolíder, expressed optimism about the future.
“We’re going to continue producing and conquering markets. Our operating philosophy is to produce 70% for the domestic market and 30% for export,” Cardete stated.
He noted that Angola’s bananas reach several international markets, including Europe, South Africa, Namibia, DR Congo, and Russia, and the company aims to explore even more territories.
Since President Joāo Lourenço’s call for economic diversification through agriculture, bananas have become a cornerstone of Angola’s economic strategy.
The fair underscored this shift, showcasing the sector’s potential to drive the nation’s economic transformation.
Visitors to the fair, like Ester Jamba, expressed satisfaction with the event’s offerings. “Well, the prices are affordable.
A bunch of bananas costs 2,000.00 kwanzas to 3,000.00 kwanzas. I’m really satisfied,” Jamba shared, reflecting the positive reception from consumers.
First-time exhibitor Celma from Nambuangongo municipality highlighted the competitive spirit among producers.
“In reality, we brought a large quantity of bananas of very good quality, and the fair is going very well, with strong competition,” she noted, pointing to the high standards and fierce competition that characterize the Angolan banana industry.
Angola stands as Africa’s largest banana producer and the seventh largest globally, with an annual production of over four million tonnes.
The fair not only celebrated this achievement but also set the stage for future growth, driven by a collective commitment to excellence and market expansion.
