The Western Cape Province is currently South Africa’s leading agricultural export region. The province’s broader agricultural value chain, consisting of the primary production agriculture and value-added agri-processing (food and beverages manufacturing) sectors, forms an important and integral part of the provincial economy.

The Western Cape agri-processing sector makes up one fifth of the national sector. More than half of South Africa’s exports from the agri-processing value chain originate from the Province.

Agri-processing, together with tourism, have been identified by the province as sectors with high economic growth and employment creation potential. Both sectors are very labour intensive with rising productivity, and allow for the creation of sustained jobs for all skill levels in both urban and rural areas. Both sectors can also be important earners of foreign exchange.

The importance of the Western Cape agri-processing sector will be highlighted at this year’s Propak Cape exhibition taking place in Cape Town in October. Packaging forms an important part of the agricultural and agri-processing value chain by extending shelf life, preventing spoilage and helping the product to arrive at the customer in good condition. Propak Cape 2017 will showcase cutting-edge advancements in the packaging and related industries in the region.

Over 200 hundred local and international exhibitors will be displaying their latest products, equipment, machinery and services, across packaging, food processing, plastics, printing and labelling. Many live demonstrations will showcase machinery and equipment in action.

This year’s show will also expand to include wine and olive oil production and supply at the newly-launched Wine and Olive Oil Production Expo to be held alongside Propak Cape.

“Visitors can expect to see many leading South African and international companies at Propak Cape and will have the opportunity to source new products, find out about the latest trends and technologies, and meet new and existing suppliers,” says Sven Riddle, Event Director at Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery. “Expert advice will be available from technical specialists who will be on hand to discuss the right solutions for business growth.”

A series of free-to-attend seminars will add further value for visitors. Industry leaders will be sharing their knowledge and expertise on a variety of important industry topics.

Propak Cape 2017, together with The Wine and Olive Oil Production Expo, will be taking place at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC) from 24-26 October 2017.

Propak Cape is organised by Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery, a member of the prestigious Montgomery Group.

For more information, visit the website www.propakcape.co.za or contact Keraysha Pillay at email: kerayshap@specialised.com