The Salon de l’Agriculture et des Resources Animales (SARA) is the largest agricultural fair of West-Africa organized on a biannual basis. In 2023, the Netherlands was Country of Honor and participated with a large trade mission and a prize-winning Pavilion. This year again, a strong Dutch delegation visited the SARA 2025, a massive event that welcomed over 400.000 visitors over a period of ten days.
In an effort to strengthen international partnerships and explore opportunities in the African agricultural sector, over 20 Dutch companies joined the SARA 2025 trade mission, led by Director General for Agriculture Mr Marten van den Berg. This significant event, which took place in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, showcased the potential for collaboration in agriculture, livestock, and environmental sustainability.
The Dutch particpants of the mission included: Advance Consulting; Aequitas Invest BV; Agrifer; Bakker Brothers; Compozen BV; Control Union; Delphy BV; East West Seed; Enza Zaden; Holland Farming BV, Holland Greentech; Invest International; JS Cocoa; Komeco BV; Mama Africa; Netherlands Food Partnership; Partners for Innovation BV; Port of Amsterdam; Rijk Zwaan; SeedNL; Spaak Circular Solutions; The Rock Group Holding BV; Vegtech Netafim.
Key highlights of the visit
The delegation embarked on a field visit to MOYÉ, a prominent Dutch-Ivorian horticultural initiative in Yamoussoukro. This visit provided the Dutch companies with firsthand insights into local horticultural practices and innovations, enabling them to understand the challenges and opportunities within the Ivorian agricultural landscape.
Additionally, a visit to Cargill, a major player in global agriculture, allowed participants to engage with industry leaders and learn about best practices in supply chain management.
Meetings with high-level delegation
Throughout the mission, numerous high-level meetings were held focusing on crucial topics such as horticulture, circular poultry and biodiversity conservation. The discussions fostered a collaborative atmosphere and allowed Mr. Marten van den Berg to further strengthen Dutch ties with relevant Ivorian ministries.
Meetings with local entrepreneurs for Orange Corner Program
A notable highlight was the opportunity for Dutch companies to meet with 15 selected local entrepreneurs at the NL pavilion organized by INCO for the Orange Corners program. The entrepreneurs were selected to participate were from Côte d’Ivoire(8), Senegal (4) and Mali (3), facilitating valuable networking and collaboration opportunities. The interactions not only allowed Dutch companies to gain insights into local market dynamics but also fostered potential partnerships that could enhance agricultural innovation and sustainability.
Meetings with local entrepreneurs for Orange Corner Program
A notable highlight was the opportunity for Dutch companies to meet with 15 selected local entrepreneurs at the NL pavilion organized by INCO for the Orange Corners program. The entrepreneurs were selected to participate were from Côte d’Ivoire(8), Senegal (4) and Mali (3), facilitating valuable networking and collaboration opportunities. The interactions not only allowed Dutch companies to gain insights into local market dynamics but also fostered potential partnerships that could enhance agricultural innovation and sustainability.
Closing Ceremony of the Dutch Agricultural Innovation Prize
The mission culminated in the closing ceremony of the first edition of the Dutch Agricultural Innovation Prize, celebrating six outstanding winners who demonstrated exceptional contributions to agricultural innovation. This event served as a platform to recognize the innovative solutions being developed in the sector, highlighting the importance of creativity and technology in addressing agricultural challenges. The winners, selected for their impactful projects, exemplified the spirit of collaboration that the mission aimed to promote.
Conclusion
The participation of Dutch companies in SARA 2025 marks a significant step towards fostering international cooperation in agriculture. The insights gained and connections made during this mission are invaluable for future endeavors.
We invite more Dutch companies to join the next mission to continue this momentum and explore new opportunities in the vibrant agricultural sector of Africa. Together, we can drive innovation and promote sustainable practices that benefit both local communities and global markets.