Ivory Coast: 6th edition of the SARA 2023
The sixth edition of SARA (Salon international de l’Agriculture et des Resources Animales) will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast (CdI) from September 29-October 8 2023.
The purpose of the fair is to raise awareness of the sub region’s production and exchange capacity with the rest of the world, to develop technical and commercial partnerships and to provide thematic forums and symposia on agriculture and related activities.
The sixth edition of SARA will bring national, regional and international stakeholders in agriculture and all its sub-sectors for ten consecutive days. It is an important gathering of international scale that brings together and exposes the agricultural expertise present in Ivory Coast, the sub-region and the world. It aims to promote the production of agriculture, livestock farming, fishing, forestry, agro-food industry.
Agriculture is CdI’s mainstay. The sector accounts for about 23% of CdI’s total GDP, 60% of its labor workforce and over two-thirds of all exports. Cocoa plays a strategic role in the economic and social development of CdI representing about 14% of its GDP. The Netherlands is CdI’s main trade partner (due to cocoa). There is (already) a strong Dutch agri footprint in CdI with around 30 Dutch businesses active, including large corporates such as Friesland Campina and Koudijs/De Heus and front runners like ‘Tony Chocolonely’, ‘Beyond Beans’ and ‘Johnny Cashew’.
The Netherlands, Country of Honor!
The 5th edition in 2019 hosted by France had 360 000 visitors with 786 exhibitors and 29 participating countries (including the Netherlands).
For this sixth edition, the Ivorian minister of Agriculture, M. Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, expects a strong participation from the Netherlands as country of honor.
The Netherlands, as second agricultural exporter in the world and leading country with regards to agricultural innovation, has a lot to offer to CdI and the West-African region. The Netherlands and its businesses can support Ivory Coast and the West-African region in its transition to a more sustainable, climate smart, innovative and circular agricultural system while at the same time also increasing yields, quality of products and profitability.
The Ambassador’s speech highlighted the combi tracks on horticulture and cocoa focusing on regenerative growth, sustainable supply chains and making agriculture more attractive for youth. The Ambassador also emphasized the Dutch approach towards SARA of #cocreationCdI&NL; by putting demand at the core of our discussions and focusing on long-term commitments and partnerships.
A strong Dutch presence at the SARA offers multiple matchmaking and B2B-possibilities, but also opportunities to foster cooperation between both our governments, businesses and research and to materialize the combi-tracks on horti and cocoa. Opportunities on a bilateral but also on regional level.
Ivorian expectations of NL’s role as country of honor are high. At previous editions, countries of honor France, Morocco and South Africa were strongly represented with high level delegations including one or more ministers and large trade delegations. To commit and leverage our role we are planning to have a Dutch trade delegation of at least 20 organizations, a regional business champions mission, and an ‘Orange Corner’ startup mission. Also a ‘Dutch farm of the future’ and multiple workshops, including a climate change & biodiversity photo exhibition, will be organized.
With the kick off also internal preparations have started.
The Embassy jointly with RVO will soon organize multiple preparatory kickoffs, a.o. with Dutch companies, startups, and embassies in the region. RVO will also host a ‘kansenseminar’ on the 23th of March engaging Dutch companies and organizations primarily on the combi-tracks, but also to seek interest for participating at the SARA.
Information
The agriculture team at the NL Embassy in Abidjan it at your disposal for any questions and suggestions.
Email: abi-lnv@minbuza.nl