Nigeria: Reelfruit receives support for optimizing packhouse design

Nature’s Bounty Health Products Ltd, trading as Reelfruit, is a Nigerian company led by women that specializes in the processing, marketing, and distribution of dried fruits. Their product range includes dried mango, dried pineapple, fruit and nut mix, cashews, mango rolls, coconut flakes, and coconut chips.

Coinciding with the company milestone, Reelfruit achieved a significant accomplishment by inaugurating a new state-of-the-art processing and packing facility in Abeokuta, Ogun state in Nigeria. This modern facility was established to meet the increasing demand for Reelfruit’s snacks in both domestic and international markets. With a processing capacity of 400 Metric Tons per annum, the facility is poised to support the company’s expansion plans. Furthermore, this expansion is expected to generate over 1500 direct and indirect jobs within the next five years, contributing to local employment and fostering economic growth.

COLEAD supported Reelfruit throughout 2022 to review the packhouse layout in preparation for the final commissioning of their new building. This support was crucial in ensuring that the investments made in the new facility align with international food safety standards and optimize the flow of goods and personnel. COLEAD’s expertise assessed the facility’s capacity to handle current volumes and its flexibility to accommodate future volume increases. Additionally, the factory process flow was reviewed based on HACCP principles, with a focus on optimizing space, product flow, and ensuring food safety and hygiene compliance.

Based on the assessment, several infrastructural changes were suggested, which are expected to result in significant cost savings for the company due to the anticipated efficiencies incorporated into the factory’s design. Reelfruit’s technical team and management received valuable insights and practical recommendations for implementing best practices, enabling them to achieve their objectives and meet the highest standards in their operations.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market SPS programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union.

This publication is supported with the financial support of the EU and the OACPS. Its contents are the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the EU or the OACPS.