Speaking with Mr. Wisdom King Adukpo, chairman of Tiwala Markt Company LLC, he stated that the COVID-19 pandemic and the looming global recession has led to increased consumer focus on health and wellness products, which may double the projected figures in the international organic food trade.

“The pandemic has driven a consumer shift towards natural and organic foods, and the US must shift its attention towards that market. If proper steps are not taken immediately, other economies will benefit more from the situation. That is why our company will take advantage of the available opportunities we have in Africa, establishing satellite organic farms across the country to feed into the growing organic food demand in the US. According to a recent analysis, Africa has around 600 million hectares of uncultivated arable land, roughly 60% of the global total. As a multinational company, we are registered in Ghana, the host country for the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement Area, to tap into several trade benefits that AFCFTA provides for registered members. We are also registered in Togo to be able to liaise with  Francophone Africa. All these unique opportunities allow us to benefit from Africa’s uncultivated arable land. Over the next 10 years, we anticipate adding up to 300 billion US dollars to the US economy through organic food and beverages trading,” he revealed. 

It is estimated that 72.3 million hectares of agricultural land were managed organically by around 3.1 million farmers worldwide. The global sales of organic food and beverages reached more than 200 billion dollars in 2020.

The United States is leading the global organic trade with US$56.5 Billion, representing a 29.56%  share in the global market. This is followed by Germany with US$13 billion, and France with  US$10.8 billion.

From 2018, major markets continued to show double-digit growth rates. French organic market grew more than 15%. Danish and Swiss consumers spent the most on organic food: 312 Euros per capita in 2018. Denmark had the highest organic market share with 11.5% of its total food market.

According to the company, if pragmatic measures are not put in place by US organic trading firms, the country may lose its spot as the #1 market in the organic food and beverage business.

“For example, China as the world’s second-largest economy has initiated strategies to tap into the global organic trade. It is estimated that China will reach a market size of US$86.1 Billion, trailing a CAGR of 13.4% through  2027. Other notable geographic markets include Japan and Canada, each forecasted to grow at 12.5% and 11.9% respectively over 2020-2027. Germany is forecasted to grow at approximately 10.2% CAGR while the rest of the European market will reach US$86.1 Billion by the year 2027. Economies such as India are equally joining the organic trade statistics at a very fast pace,” part of the statement read.  

The company revealed that they are setting up organic out-growers in parts of Africa using USDA-NOP protocols to be able to export across the world under the United States organic certification guidelines. 

“We have engaged the services of a local firm to organize millions of out-growers in Africa to grow under US protocols, and expand the market in the name of the US. Messiah Organics Chain is providing organic inputs, mostly sourced from the US, for our out-growers, as well as organic workshops for our farmers and state players in the agriculture sector. Several large economies are taking undue advantage of the African continent, but as an African living in the United States, my team and I have developed a  two-way trade between US and Africa, which provides a mutual benefit for both economies” he stated.

“Many African farmers have adopted organic farming methods introduced by Tiwala through its local partner Messiah Organics Chain as a result of the health and safety of their families,  consumers, and livestock, as well as recent awareness of climate change effects, which conventional farming methods contribute immensely too.  

As chemical costs have also increased, thousands of conventional farmers have begun to search for ways to decrease costs. This economic situation is motivating more smallholder farmers in Africa to move in the direction of organic farming,” the statement read.

Mr. Wisdom King Adukpo called on investors in the US to take advantage of the several fair-trading opportunities that Tiwala has in Africa to mutually grow both economies.