AuStar is now available to farmers across Africa.
Chemicals Direct has recognized the ever increasing importance of Africa as a food producing region for the world. In April 2012 we opened our new wholly owned subsidiary Australian Horticultural Chemicals Ltd (AHC). The introduction of AuStar to the African continent is a major investment for Chemicals Direct but the decision was made easy after quantifying the rapidly expanding potential of agriculture in Africa.
AHC is based in Kenya’s capital Nairobi and acts as the center for our African Operations. Kenya was chosen because of its communication and transport networks as well as the size and diversity of horticultural enterprises across both large commercial and small scale farmers.
The initial focus for AuStar in the region is in mangos, citrus, avocados and dates.
In the first quarter of 2011 a regional manager dedicated to the development of markets in Africa was appointed. We now have agents in place in North Africa for the territories of Egypt and Sudan. In West Africa for Senegal, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Liberia.
Work has been done with AuStar on Mangos in Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania and Egypt and on Avocado in Kenya and Tanzania to date. Our African customers are obviously as delighted with AuStar as our customers in Australia and Latin and South America as we are now seeing significant repeat orders for AuStar.