Report of the trade mission
From May 9-13, 2010, some 29 delegates representing companies active in the oil seed sector from Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger visited the Netherlands. The trade mission was organised by Sunsia on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Economic affairs, which provided funds under the CPA (Collective Promotional Action) programme. The aim was to establish contacts between the African representatives and Dutch companies that are active in the oilseed chain. For this, Sunsia collaborated with the Product Board for Margarine, Fats and Oils in the Netherlands (www.mvo.nl). Futher invaluable advice was provided by the Ministry of Agriculture (www.minlnv.nl) and the Association of companies in the Bakery and Sweets Industries (www.vbz.nl).
Oilseeds are a mainstay of the rural and national economy in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Benin. Many smallholders are involved in their production. Exports are still relatively small. Yet farmers, traders and processing companies in these countries are waking up to the fact that there is a growing demand in the world market for seeds like sesame, groundnuts, cashew nuts and also shea butter. The main opportunities are in the specialist sector, as the current production methods are mainly ecologic. Apart from straight investments, the sector has a demand for technical, organizational and market knowledge. The African participants were selected through Sunsia's extensive network in West-Africa. Their products are sesame seed, peanuts, cashew nuts, shea nuts and shea butter and to al lesser extent cotton seed, palm oil, hibiscus essential oil, neem oil, moringa and baobab. The participants had to make their own travel arrangements. This was not so easy, since Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano was severely disrupting the flight schedules. Invaluable assistance was given by the Dutch embassies for the four countries, while over here, Holland Gateway (www.hollandgateway.nl) provided a pleasant first meeting place at Schiphol.
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