Firm urges manufacturers to source savoury flavours locally

African manufacturer of extracts for spices, Freddy Hirsch Nigeria has advised manufacturing firms operating in the country to engage in backward integration by sourcing raw materials locally to grow the economy.

Speaking with journalists, the Managing Director, Freddy Hirsch West Africa, Kojo Brifo said that the containment measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the essential flow of food from farms and producers to consumers and particularly affected manufacturers who are dependent on raw materials sourced out of Nigeria.

He advised manufacturers in the country, especially food manufacturers to look inwards and source savoury flavours locally.

During the lockdown, several products disappeared from store shelves, due to sourcing problems. Many companies had to frantically source local alternatives, thanks to closed borders and no-fly policies. While these measures have been reduced, the key lesson is the need for food firms is to design their supply and production chains for resilience.

Brifo said one of the smartest ways manufacturing firms can survive the current economic challenges in Nigeria is to invest in the local market by sourcing raw materials and savoury spices locally.

He said: “For many food firms, sourcing ingredients and spices abroad is no longer the default model. Companies must develop an end-to-end supply chain management that reflects a wider pool of suppliers, including regional ones while keeping larger strategic stocks. Other alternatives are to simplify offerings, resulting in a leaner, more manageable product range, less risk, and lower costs.”

“This is why Freddy Hirsch has invested in a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, Research, Development, and Application laboratory and extensive networks that enable it to derive authentic insights from customers, meet their unique taste preferences of the regional market and develop competitive solutions in culinary, bakery, confectionery, and dairy. As the preferred partner of choice to local and global food and manufacturing firms in West Africa, we empower our customers with locally sourced materials and non-FOREX exposure.”

He said to achieve this, Freddy Hirsch Nigeria partnered with Symrise, a global fragrance, care, flavours, and nutrition manufacturer, to jointly boost food innovation and nutrition in West Africa.

“We are focused on the development, launch, and commercialisation of transformational food products, general seasoning, bouillon meat, snacks and instant noodles, through strategic initiatives like collaboration with local chefs and insights, learned from staple local delicacies and recipes” he said.

Brifo also said local sourcing of savoury flavours guarantee customers with naira trading and predictable OPEX, speed to market, due to local sourcing, non-FX issues and shorter lead times. With this, he said, customers can save their forex for more critical purchases and procure their raw materials in naira.

Freddy Hirsch Nigeria is part of the Freddy Hirsch Group, a Cape Town-based supplier of industrial spices, casings, and meat processing equipment, servicing thousands of customers including independent butcheries, major retail chain stores, meat processing factories and poultry factories.