The fruit of the iconic African Baobab tree could be the next nutritious food to appear on UK supermarket shelves with a report carried out by the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), part of the University of Greenwich at Medway, predicting it could provide a lifeline to millions of farming families.

The Baobab is a common feature of the landscape in southern Africa and its fruit has been eaten for generations across the continent. It has an exceptionally high Vitamin C content, is rich in anti-oxidants, natural fibre and is an excellent source of calcium and iron.

The European Commission is currently considering an application to import the fruit by non-profit trade association PhytoTrade Africa, which helps African rural producers sustainably develop and market their natural products for export. Under EU legislation any food not eaten in Europe prior to 1997 is classified as a novel food and must gain special approval.
PhytoTrade Africa is hoping by proving that Baobab has a history of use in Africa stretching back hundreds of years, it can get the green light for export, which could open the door for many other products to follow.

A decision is expected in the near future and if successful, it could lead to large-scale importation of the fruit, which is ideal for use in healthy snacks and smoothies.

Ben Bennett, an NRI Agricultural Marketing Economist who has been working closely with PhytoTrade Africa, carried out research into the Baobab Tree and its potential as an export commodity.

He adds: “As the Lion is the iconic animal of Africa so the Baobab the iconic tree of the continent. It is drought resistant and is used for a great many different purposes but it could become a major export product providing a much-needed boost to the economy.

“Baobab is a versatile product that has a fantastic vitamin profile. Should the EU give approval to exporting it to Europe, we could see thousands of tonnes brought over and used in a variety of products such as cereal bars. It could ultimately become a billion dollar industry and provide employment for more than 2.5 million households, which would be a great boost in the fight against poverty and starvation.”

To find out more about the work of the NRI visit nri.org