Capital Enterprises Foster Agricultural Cooperation With African Countries

Moscow – A fruit and berry ripening enterprise in the capital, part of the Greenfields Group (brand Artfruit), recently hosted a delegation from Ethiopia and Tanzania, which included representatives from African governments, businesses, and educational institutions.

During the discussions, the parties explored the prospects for agricultural cooperation.

“Moscow and African countries have immense potential for trade collaboration,” said Anatoly Garbuzov, Minister of the Government of Moscow and head of the Department of Investment and Industrial Po’licy.

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

“The city is facilitating an increase in supply volumes to African nations by providing industrial enterprises with 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 activities “Mosprom,” as well as “Artfruit.”

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

During the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects for importing agricultural products to Moscow, developing production capacities for the storage and processing of agricultural goods, and outlined specific steps to expand 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, focused on the prospects for exporting agricultural machinery and food equipment to the African market.

Russian, particularly Moscow-based companies, are ready to offer equipment for harvesting, drying, and roasting coffee and tea, as well as packaging complexes for such products.

Special attention was given to the potential application of existing support measures to facilitate the supply of machinery and equipment.

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

Participants also noted the importance of further experience exchange and the establishment of sustainable cooperation mechanisms.

“We see significant interest from Moscow partners in joint projects. During the discussions, specific steps were outlined to expand supplies and implement agricultural technologies, which will help create favorable conditions for all market participants,” said Endashaw Kebede Gidjo, governor of the Kaffa province in Ethiopia.

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

Dr. Petro Woldetensay Woldesemayat, rector of Bonga University, said the agreements reached open new prospects for international cooperation.

“Regular dialogue between states and business communities not only expands economic ties but also facilitates the introduction of advanced technologies in the agro-industrial sector,” said Dr. Woldetensay Woldesemayat.

“The exchange of personnel is particularly significant, as it promotes knowledge transfer and strengthens professional connections between our countries.”

The organisers of the meeting emphasized that the event marked a significant step in the development of Russian-African cooperation.

“We are pleased that the dialogue was productive and constructive. The agreements reached create a solid foundation for further partnership, and our openness to collaboration will enable the implementation of promising projects in agriculture,” noted Tatyana Ivanchenco, operational director of “Artfruit.”

The “Artfruit” brand belongs to the Greenfields Group, which has been distributing exotic fruits, berries, and vegetables to retail chains, restaurants, and manufacturing companies across Russia for over 20 years.

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