The organisers of Africa’s Big Seven have announced the launch of DrinkTech Africa, a dedicated exhibition and conference designed to service the continent’s growing beverage and liquid food markets.

The Africa market is unique to other global markets as it has First World and Third World economies working together. This means manufacturers need to produce and supply both traditional and westernised beverage options.

In South Africa the top performing beverage categories are energy drinks, followed by bottled water, iced tea and carbonated soft drinks. In alcoholic beverages growth is led by flavoured alcoholic drinks whilst dairy beverages showed good growth due to milk surplus experienced from the last quarter of 2008.

The exhibition will showcase: equipment, technology, systems and ingredients for manufacturing, filling, packaging and distribution of beverages and liquid foods as well as products such as non-alcoholic drinks – beer – spirits - milk and liquid dairy products - liquid food - fruit juices - wine and water - tea and coffee - energy and wellness drinks and all other beverages.

DrinkTech Africa which will be held every second year and alternate with IFMA (The Meat Industry expo) comes at a time when Africa's Big 7 is showing strong growth even in a recessionary economy. Both exhibitor and visitor numbers are growing with 90% of visitors polled in 2009 saying they would return again in 2010.

This year’s Africa Big 7 boasted 238 exhibiting companies from 39 countries and 7,542 visitors from 45 countries.

Drinktech Africa is organized by Exhibition Management Services (Pty) Ltd and is scheduled to take place at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg – South Africa from 18 July to 20 July 2010.