Santuscom Group seals N5bn deal to export Ogoja foods to UK

Santuscom Foods Ltd., a subsidiary of Santuscom Group, has signed a N5 billion partnership agreement with Dawn Fulfilment, a UK-based firm, to boost export of Nigerian agricultural products.

The ‌ ‍‍ ‌‍ ‌‌‌ agreement is also aimed at expanding the reach of Nigerian food products across the UK and wider European market. Chief Ofana Paul, Chief Executive Officer of Santuscom Group, disclosed this in a statement made available to NAN in Abuja.

Paul said Dawn Fulfilment would handle storage, local fulfilment and micro-distribution of Santuscom products in the UK under the agreement.

He listed the products as Ogoja Garri, Ogoja Palm Oil, Ogoja Unripe Plantain Flour, Yam Poundo and Santuscom Honey Beans.

He said the agreement marked a new phase in Santuscom’s export strategy by combining local agricultural production with international marketing and distribution capacity.

“The N5 billion deal marks a new phase in Santuscom’s export strategy, combining local agricultural production with international marketing and distribution capacity to take products from Ogoja and other parts of the country to consumers in the UK and beyond.

“The partnership is more than a commercial arrangement, but an opportunity to strengthen the value chain around locally produced commodities while creating access for consumers beyond Nigeria.

“The initiative will contribute to positioning Nigerian agricultural products for greater international visibility, while creating opportunities for farmers, processors, distributors and other actors across the value chain,” he said.

Mrs Gbemi Elisha, Founder of Dawn Fulfilment, said the company would support Santuscom in converting growing demand for its products into readily accessible local supply in the UK.

Elisha said Dawn Fulfilment would serve independent retailers, African supermarkets, restaurants, online customers and small wholesale buyers.

She said the company was attracted by Santuscom’s ambition to establish a strong presence in the UK rather than merely export products.

Elisha said Santuscom’s UK launch demonstrated its ambition to build sustainable market traction and use the UK as a platform for broader international expansion. “Under the arrangement, Dawn Fulfilment will hold Santuscom products within the UK and facilitate distribution closer to consumers and retail outlets.

“The model is expected to reduce the distance between imported Nigerian food products and their target customers and make them more conveniently accessible.

“The partnership highlights the growing commercial potential of Nigerian agricultural products in international markets, particularly among the African diaspora and consumers seeking authentic Nigerian foods,” she said. NAN