Halal products from Indonesia are increasingly popular in the African and Middle Eastern markets. This can be seen in Indonesia's participation in the 7th Food Africa 2022 Exhibition which was held on 5-7 December 2022 at the Egypt International Exhibitions Center, Cairo, Egypt. The Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt, Lutfi Rauf explained that Indonesia's participation in the annual Food Africa Exhibition was a form of support in increasing the performance of Indonesia's export market share. Especially food and drink in the Middle East, Africa and the Mediterranean region. "This effort is to maintain the market position for Indonesian products and look for new potential opportunities in the region," he said in a press statement, Wednesday (7/12/2022). He hopes that Indonesian business actors can continue to promote Indonesia's superior products to Egypt in a sustainable manner. Even though the global economic environment is not yet stable, demand from this market continues to grow. According to him, the Egyptian market basically needs food and beverage products from Indonesia. Currently, more than 75 percent of the export market share for Indonesian products in Egypt is food and beverages.
"Exports and imports from Indonesia and Egypt for the period January - September 2022 have also increased, so that trade between the two countries complements each other and economic cooperation continues to be built," he said. Cairo Trade Attache, Irman Adi Purwanto Moefthi added, through the Food Africa exhibition, the Government of Indonesia facilitated Indonesian businesses and MSMEs in exhibiting and promoting their superior products. Among them are palm oil derivative products, coffee, spices, sauces and seasonings, packaged beverages, herbal plants, animal feed, and industrial and household waste processing machines. Irman added that Indonesia's presence at the global Food Africa exhibition this time was also very well received. On the first day alone, it resulted in transactions reaching US$13 million or IDR 203 billion. "It is hoped that until the last day of the exhibition, the potential for this transaction will increase," he said. Indonesian companies participating in the Indonesian Pavilion include PT Selaras Rasakoe Indonesia for spices and seasoning products, PT Mandala Prima Makmur/Prospero Food for chocolate and coffee, AK Goldenesia for CPO and its derivatives, PT Sumber Kopi Prima for instant coffee, PT Alam Scientia Asia for spices, PT Jagad Kelapa Nusantara for coconut water drinks, PT Chita Agri Indonesia for coffee, moringa, corn feed and waste processing machines, PT International Niaga Globalindo with chocolate and coffee, and PT Ikafood Putramas for spices. The Indonesian Pavilion was visited by the Minister of Trade and Industry of the Arab Republic of Egypt Ahmed Samir, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade of the Arab Republic of Egypt Ali Moselhi, and Chair of the Egyptian-Indonesian Business Council (EIBC) Sherif el Gabali. The Food Africa Exhibition this time was attended by approximately 30 countries including Germany, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Japan, Kuwait and Indonesia.
