AGROFOOD NIGERIA 2026 BREAKS INTERNATIONAL RECORD, RETURNS TO LAGOS BIGGER AND BOLDER

                                   

Agrofood Nigeria is set to make history in 2026 as the 11th edition records its strongest international participation ever, reaffirming its status as West Africa’s leading agrofood and packaging business platform.

Scheduled to hold from 24 to 26 March 2026 at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, the exhibition is expected to attract thousands of industry decision-makers, investors, manufacturers, and solution providers from Nigeria and across the region.

Organised by fairtrade Messe in cooperation with Modion Communications, agrofood Nigeria 2026 will provide a focused marketplace spanning agriculture, food and beverage technology, food ingredients, packaging, and finished products — all under one roof.

 International Participation

This year’s edition will feature over 100 exhibitors from 14 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America — marking the most extensive global presence in the event’s history.

Participating countries include:

Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The exhibition is designed to promote face-to-face engagement, encourage technology transfer, strengthen supply chains, and support informed investment decisions across West Africa’s agrofood ecosystem.

Netherlands Named Guest of Honour

After eight consecutive years of participation, the Netherlands assumes the role of Guest of Honour for 2026.

Led by the Netherlands Consulate-General in Lagos, about 20 Dutch companies will showcase advanced innovations in horticulture, greenhouse systems, seed technologies, food processing, agrologistics, and climate-smart agriculture — reinforcing the country’s reputation as a global agricultural powerhouse.

Strong National Pavilions

Several countries will feature dedicated national pavilions, including:

Belgium/Flanders Pavilion, organised by Flanders Investment & Trade

China Pavilion, featuring over 20 exhibitors in processing and packaging technologies

German Pavilion, supported by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and industry associations, with companies such as GEA Group and Krones AG showcasing advanced “Made in Germany” solutions

India Participation, highlighting premium agricultural commodities and value-addition solutions

South Africa – Western Cape Pavilion, supported by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture

USA Participation, led by the Food Export Association of the Midwest and Northeast USA, introducing American suppliers to Nigerian buyers

Nigeria will also be strongly represented, with leading local agribusinesses and food processors leveraging the platform to expand partnerships and regional market access.

Bigger, More Targeted Layout for 2026

The 2026 edition introduces an optimised hall structure to enhance visitor experience:

Hall 1: Food + Beverage Technology & Packaging

Hall 2: Agro & Food + Hospitality

Hall 3: Food Ingredients

With thousands of targeted business meetings expected, organisers say the event continues to evolve into a regional hub for agro-industrial innovation and investment.

Nigeria’s Growing Agrofood Market

Industry data highlights the sector’s growth potential:

Nigeria imported €265 million worth of food and packaging technology in 2024.

Packaging technology imports alone reached €121 million.

The Nigerian food market is projected to reach $233.53 billion in 2025, with strong annual growth expected through 2030.

Despite local investments, food imports stood at $6.1 billion in 2023, compared to $2.2 billion in exports.

These figures underscore the urgent need for processing capacity, value addition, and export competitiveness — gaps agrofood Nigeria aims to address.

A Trusted Global Platform

Founded in 1991, fairtrade Messe has organised international trade fairs across Africa and the Middle East, connecting emerging markets with global solution providers. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a member of UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

Event Details

Event: agrofood Nigeria 2026 (11th Edition)

Date: 24–26 March 2026

Venue: Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos

Summary

With record-breaking global participation, strong institutional backing, and expanded exhibition space, agrofood Nigeria 2026 is poised to deepen international partnerships, accelerate technology adoption, and position Nigeria as a competitive agro-industrial hub in West Africa.#

AGROFOOD NIGERIA 2026 TO BOOST INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS, AS NETHERLANDS HEADLINES 11TH EDITION

Nigeria’s ambition to build a competitive and industrialised food economy is gaining renewed momentum as agrofood Nigeria 2026 prepares to convene key players across the agro-allied value chain.

With agriculture contributing more than 22 percent to the nation’s GDP, stakeholders say the country must urgently tackle persistent challenges such as limited processing capacity, post-harvest losses, rising food inflation, and dependence on imports. The 11th edition of agrofood Nigeria is therefore set to shift focus from primary production to industrial competitiveness, value addition, and export readiness.

Netherlands Leads as Guest of Honour

The Netherlands, globally recognised as one of the most advanced agri-food economies and the second-largest agricultural exporter in the world, will headline the event as Guest of Honour and Lead Country Pavilion Exhibitor.

Dutch exhibitors are expected to showcase cutting-edge solutions in food processing, seed technology, cold chain logistics, packaging, horticulture, and sustainable production systems — offering tested models that could accelerate Nigeria’s agro-industrial scale-up.

Over 15 Countries Confirm Participation

Organisers disclosed that exhibitors from more than 15 countries will participate in the 2026 edition, further cementing agrofood Nigeria’s reputation as West Africa’s leading international agro-industrial marketplace.

Confirmed country pavilions include:

Netherlands – Guest of Honour

Germany – Food processing and packaging engineering

China – Processing machinery and automation technologies

Belgium – Precision farming and circular production systems

South Africa (Western Cape Pavilion) – Regional capabilities showcase

The international showcases are designed to facilitate technology transfer, strategic partnerships, and investment opportunities across Nigeria’s food value chains.

Agrofood Nigeria 2026  to Address Macroeconomics and Export Growth

Day One: Economic Outlook

Day One of the conference will feature respected economist Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Limited.

He is expected to present a data-driven analysis of inflation trends, foreign exchange pressures, cost of capital, consumer demand, and broader investment signals influencing Nigeria’s agribusiness and food manufacturing sectors.

Day Two: Trade and AfCFTA Opportunities

On Day Two, Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), will lead discussions on trade competitiveness and export-led growth.

The sessions will examine how Nigeria’s agro-allied industries can leverage opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to transition from domestic scale to regional and global value chains. 

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Industry Bodies Rally Support

Leading business associations have expressed strong backing for the initiative, including:

Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA)

Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)

Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)

Stakeholders emphasised that improving food security and boosting export competitiveness will require policy clarity, private sector investment, technology adoption, and adherence to global quality standards.

According to organisers, Nigeria’s food challenge is no longer about production alone, but about industrialising the sector, reducing losses, and positioning local products to meet international benchmarks.

Event Details

Event: agrofood Nigeria 2026 (11th Edition)

Dates: 24–26 March 2026

Venue: Landmark Centre, Victoria Island Annex, Lagos

Guest of Honour: Netherlands

Overview

agrofood Nigeria 2026 is expected to serve as a high-level business and policy platform aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s agro-industrial transformation. With strong international participation and expert-led discussions, the event seeks to reposition the country’s food sector toward industrial efficiency, value addition, and export-driven growth.#