Agro industries hugely represented at Ya Fe 2014

With diverse products, exhibitors are seeking to widen their clientele for better returns.

The ongoing business fair in downtown Yaounde code-named “Ya Fe” is serving as an avenue par excellence for agro industries present there in the huge numbers to scout for customers and make better returns when the show ends.

From the entrance through the entire exhibition village, the various industries with their usual products and sometimes innovations, are stealing the show with each employing the best marketing strategy susceptible to convincing even the most reticent visitor.

At the stand of Cameroon Tea Estate (CTE), various brands of black tea are on display. “People are discovering the products and listening to explanations on their consumption and advantages,” Daouda Meali, a Marketing Official told Cameroon Tribune. He said the product, proven already by studies to be the second highest drink after water, is much more advantages given its medicinal value.

“With the numerous ailments now, tea leaves are highly recommended for man. They also have the power of rejuvenation,” he added. The processing and packaging of the product, Daouda underlines, take into consideration people of all walks of life, reason why even with FCFA 200, a visitor can take home a sachet.

At the stand, there is Ndawara Highland Tea packaged in 250 grammes at FCFA 8,000, six gramme at FCFA 650 and others (sachets) ranging between FCFA 350 to FCFA 200. These are promotional prices.

Meanwhile, at CHOCOCAM, consumables are aplenty. These range from chocolate in various sizes, bonbons, matinal and chewing gum which officials say, “add value to life.” According to an official of the company, Ngo Mbakwo Myllie, the outfit is using the ongoing show to meet its numerous customers on the field with innovative products at promotional prices.

“We have made it in such a way that buyers have the opportunity to go away with something gratis once they buy something substantial,” she said. The company, she added, also has sachet drinks (tropical, pineapple and orange) at FCFA 200 per sachet.

This is more or less the same at Tanty with a multiplicity of products like Soya pap, groundnut oil and other ingredients for a good feeding. According to Cedric Sakam, Marketing Official of NTfoods Tanty, people are visiting the stands to discover what is on display, taste what they have and sometimes buy for home use.

“Given that the goal at Ya Fe is not only to sell but also to let people know what we produce and how helpful it could be for their health, the show is helping us to meet this target,” he said.

In most of the cases, exhibitors say business is still timid but are upbeat that with the euphoria around end-of-year feasts increasing gaining grounds as celebration time narrows, things would get better.