Symrise AG, Freddy Hirsch Nigeria to Improve Food Innovation, Nutrition in West Africa

Germany-based fragrances, care, flavorings, and nutrition manufacturer, Symrise AG has entered a strategic partnership with Freddy Hirsch Nigeria, a leading manufacturer of spices, ingredients, and flavors. Together, Symrise AG and Freddy Hirsch Nigeria are focused on boosting food innovation and nutrition in West Africa.

Under the new partnership, the companies will focus on the development, launch, and commercialization of transformational food products: general seasoning, bouillon meat, snacks, and instant noodles. This innovative partnership will harness the flavor technology platform to deliver authentic regional and hyperlocal African flavors and ingredients. Symrise AG, a global multibillion-dollar fragrances, care, flavor, and nutrition supplier with >10% market share and presence in 100+ countries, and Freddy Hirsch Nigeria, a leading West African manufacturer of ingredients and flavors, both with world-class Research, Development, and Application laboratories and manufacturing facilities.

“Africa’s projected population of 3billion people by 2050 presents a large market for food and nutrition globally”, says Sofiane Berrahmoune, Sub Regional Director Flavor Africa Middle East. “Symrise AG is leading in meeting the needs of its customers and with this strategic partnership with West Africa’s leading flavorhouse – Freddy Hirsch Nigeria.

“We can deliver even greater speed to market in Africa. This strategic partnership with Freddy Hirsch Nigeria will give us deeper access to valuable insights about Africa’s food industry.”

Increasing urbanization, rising incomes, a growing regional population, and evolving lifestyle changes are driving the African food flavor and enhancer ingredient market and increasing the consumption of processed foods and beverages. The Africa food flavor and enhancer market is a small but growing market forecasted to witness a CAGR of 5.12% during the forecast period (2020 – 2025). The global flavor and fragrance market is forecasted to reach US$36 billion in 2022 with Africa expected to play one of the biggest growth opportunities.

Speaking on the partnership, the Managing Director of Freddy Hirsch Nigeria, Kojo Brifo said “To achieve our vision of creating authentic African flavors and tastes, we have invested in a Research, Development, and Application laboratory and a manufacturing facility with world-class quality management systems, in West Africa, Nigeria, Our partnership with Symrise AG provides an acceleration of flavor development across West Africa and will increase the creativity of customized flavors, help our customers attain speed to market, and enhance their operational agility.”

Together, Symrise AG and Freddy Hirsch Nigeria have successfully positioned themselves as the leading contributors to the evolution of the food and beverage industry in West Africa and the Middle East. “Together, we are stronger than ever, committed to co-create with Freddy Hirsch Nigeria, combining the best of our strengths and leveraging our strong global footprint with our winning local flexibility, market, and consumer understanding,” concluded Berrahmoune.