The lack of quality local wine and spirits that can compete on the international market is attributed to the stifling regulations of the National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Spronks Creation Managing Director, Aderonke Sobodu, who made the point at the unveiling of the fourth edition of the Nigerian International Wine & Spirits Fair in Lagos, also blamed brands such as Hennessey, Jack Daniels, and Red Labels.
Sobodu said “NAFDAC regulation is killing the wine and spirits industry. It takes forever to get a certification for a brand and if this is the case, how can the local players be encouraged.”
She tackled wine and spirits brands that engage youths in a party to drive volume.
“I have been to Chicago and I have seen how these things are managed. You (spirits brands) do not throw a party and engage young people to take your brand without telling them the amount of alcoholic content in your brands.
“Instead of these brands to engage youth positively by training them in mixology and all that, they prefer an elaborate party where their brands are made free and when these people get themselves drunk, they drive and someone ends up mourning in the morning.”
Sobodu urged the government to relax some rules to encourage investment in the industry and enable players develop the biggest wine and spirits market in Africa.
The fourth edition of the event is scheduled to hold in Lagos on October 23.
The Nigerian International Wine and Spirits Fair (NIWSF) is a platform for on-and-off trade businesses aimed at fostering inter-cultural business relationships between wine and spirits producing countries and Africa.
It seeks to promote local production of quality wine and spirits and to educate consumers on wine culture and etiquette.
This year’s exhibition has the theme, ‘Wine, Spirits, Trade, Consumer Experience and More’. It is sponsored by Louis Roederer, producer of Cristal and other expressive Champagnes.
Over 30 wine and spirits exhibitors from over 10 countries – Spain, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, United States, Argentina, Chile, Italy, France, and Nigeria – are expected to participate.
Thousands of wine lovers, trader, restaurateurs, beverage, hospitality industry operators, connoisseurs, retail chains, independent wine shops, and those seeking joint venture partnerships are expected to visit the fair.
It also offers networking opportunities and a wide range of contents for the media.
The growth and acceptance of wine and spirits into Nigerian’s social lifestyle makes the country one of the fast emerging markets in the world, which in turn offers great opportunity for tourism, trade and commerce, Sobodu said.
In reaction, NAFDAC Public Relations Officer (South West), Gboye Osiyemi, maintained that the aim is to protect consumers, not hinder local industry.
There are procedures for securing NAFDAC number for products, he said, and it will not work if someone wants to bypass the system.
“NAFDAC as much as possible encourages local industries and I want to believe the person is talking about importation. NAFDAC has to do its job to protect Nigerians from unwholesome products,” Osiyemi added.
