Capital Enterprises Encourages Agricultural Partnerships with African Nations

Moscow – A fruit and berry ripening company located in the capital and part of the Greenfields Group (under the brand Artfruit) recently welcomed a delegation from Ethiopia and Tanzania. This group consisted of representatives from various African governments, businesses, and educational institutions.

Throughout the discussions, the attendees examined opportunities for agricultural collaboration.

“Moscow and African nations possess vast potential for trade partnerships,” stated Anatoly Garbuzov, Minister of the Government of Moscow and head of the Department of Investment and Industrial Policy.

“In the first ten months of 2024, trade turnover between the capital and the region increased by 33 percent compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

“The city is enhancing supply volumes to African countries by offering industrial enterprises over ten export support measures.”

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, the capital’s export support center, industry and investment initiatives “Mosprom,” alongside “Artfruit.”

The African delegation featured the governor of Kaffa province in Ethiopia, Endashaw Kebede Gidjo, agricultural advisor to the President of Tanzania, Siki Ramadhani Magoha, rector of Bonga University, Dr. Petro Woldetensay Woldesemayat, an expert in coffee and tropical fruit cultivation, and Claudia Freddy Kimako, director of the regulatory service at the Tanzanian Fertilizer Trade Administration.

During the meeting, discussions revolved around the possibilities of importing agricultural products to Moscow and developing storage and processing capabilities for agricultural goods, as well as outlining specific steps to enhance supplies from Ethiopia and Tanzania.

The presentation by Ilya Orsik, Deputy Head of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Construction Machinery at the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, highlighted prospects for exporting agricultural machinery and food equipment to the African market.

Companies from Russia, especially those based in Moscow, are prepared to offer equipment for harvesting, drying, and roasting coffee and tea, along with packaging complexes for these products.

Attention was also given to the potential use of existing support measures designed to ease the supply of machinery and equipment.

“We are very interested in the African market, and following feedback, we are prepared to organize a business mission with leading manufacturers to establish mutually beneficial supplies,” emphasized Ilya Orsik.

Participants also underlined the necessity for further experience sharing and establishing sustainable cooperation mechanisms.

“We see strong interest from our Moscow partners in joint ventures. Specific steps were outlined during the discussions to broaden supplies and implement agricultural technologies, which will foster favorable conditions for all market participants,” remarked Endashaw Kebede Gidjo, governor of the Kaffa province in Ethiopia.

The event featured an official opening, presentations on projects, a tour of Moscow’s production facilities, and discussions on key agenda items.

Dr. Petro Woldetensay Woldesemayat, rector of Bonga University, indicated that the agreements made pave the way for new opportunities in international cooperation.

“Regular dialogue between nations and business communities not only strengthens economic ties but also facilitates the adoption of advanced technologies in the agro-industrial sector,” stated Dr. Woldetensay Woldesemayat.

“The exchange of personnel is particularly essential, as it encourages knowledge transfer and fortifies professional connections between our countries.”

The meeting’s organizers highlighted that the event was a significant milestone in the advancement of Russian-African cooperation.

“We are delighted that the dialogue was productive and constructive. The agreements reached lay a strong foundation for ongoing partnership, and our willingness to collaborate will aid in the implementation of promising agricultural projects,” remarked Tatyana Ivanchenco, operational director of “Artfruit.”

The “Artfruit” brand is part of the Greenfields Group, which has been supplying exotic fruits, berries, and vegetables to retail chains, restaurants, and manufacturing companies in Russia for over 20 years.

Another production facility from Moscow, also part of the Greenfields Group, has secured three billion rubles to acquire high-tech sorting and packaging lines, as well as special chambers that replicate the climatic conditions of the countries of origin, thanks to a preferential investment loan program from the Moscow Industrial and Entrepreneurship Support Fund.