Macfruit participated in the Italy-Africa international summit during an event at the Farnesina, a few days ago. Both the Italian President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte attended the event together with delegates from 54 African countries. Renzo Piraccini, president of Macfruit, was invited as a speaker. He has already talked in favour of an agri-food collaboration with Africa and, indeed, the 2019 edition of the Cesena exhibition will have Africa as its partner-continent.
Renzo Piraccini with the Nigerian and the Ivorian ministers of foreign affairs
Piraccini said, “I believe that the agri-food sector can play a crucial role in the development of Africa – and also for feeding the people in the continent. It is not difficult to produce fresh fruit and vegetable: you need water, sun and technology. In Africa, the main problems are the availability of technology and the use of low-water-consumption techniques. Italy is a leader in both of those sectors, and therefore we can greatly help the development of African countries. Additionally, Africa can be an important market for some of our produce, such as apples and kiwis”.
International Forum, Farnesina, 25 October 2018
For Macfruit, Africa is not just a word, but it is a reality to understand and that we can help to grow. Practically, we are planning new missions: the first will be in Ghana (30th October-2nd November), followed by Mozambique and Zambia (28th November-4th December) in collaboration with Unido – the UN agency for the industrial development. From 5th to 8th December will be a mission in Angola, in collaboration with Ice Agenzia.
Renzo Piraccini with the delegates from Mozambique Manuela Dos Santos and Cesar Gouvela and Andrea Carapellese of Unido
“Italy is a great fruit and vegetable producer, it is a leader in technology and packaging. Italy can play a key role to help African companies to develop and to establish a reputation. One opportunity is represented by Macfruit, for which Sub-Saharan Africa will be the exhibition partner. In this way, it is possible to find new partners but also to see all the novelties of the supply chain”.
During his speech, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte stated that “Africa is a treasure, it is the future, it is an opportunity”. Also, Conte pointed out that “this is the moment for Italy to play a strategic role in Africa. In this way, it is possible to confirm the priority of our relations on a bilateral level, both in the European context and with the African Union.