In spite of high production cost and unstable power supply, the Nigerian noodle market that is worth N64.4 billion ($400m) is being deepened by the introduction of Al Grain Instant Noodles into the Nigerian market.
The noodle, which took one year to develop, is a product of AL Grain Foods Limited, and is targeted at school children between the ages of three to 11, and the adults.
This was disclosed by Jude Okafor, marketing manager, AL Grain Foods Limited, at the official launch of the product in Lagos at the weekend, saying “the product comes in two variants – chicken/shrimps flavour and beef flavour. The product also comes with composition of locally sourced raw materials.”
The product is also targeted at the adults, which is the reason for its rich native favour, and has introduced – the chicken/shrimp (crayfish) flavour, and the beef flavour to satisfy the elderly, with the African taste in mind, he said.
In his welcome address, Anthony Obidulu, chairman, AL Grain Foods Limited, said of Al Grain Instant Noodles: “With an understanding on the nuances of food production and distribution we have developed a unique mastery in our handling and storage process, which ensures minimal damages and expiries. Also to deliver fresh products, we have created a system of logistics processes aimed to achieve a balance between production and sales.
“At Al Grain Foods Limited, we have a quality assurance policy to maintain high standards of our products, this reflects in the way we work, services we deliver, and all-round relationships with staff, customers and suppliers. It is no wonder that we are already making waves in the Nigerian market as our noodles is competing favourably with other noodles and we are not relenting in the production and quality of our products.”
According to Pat Utomi, who was the special guest of honour at the launch, “I do not have a particular food I crave for, but sincerely AL Grain noodle has become part of my daily meal.”
The bigger issue for the nation now is in the agric and manufacturing sectors, which if properly channelled would help the nation move forward in leaps and bounds, the professor said, saying this was the attraction that endeared him to Anthony Obidulu, chairman, AL Grain Foods Limited. He called on all to support the vision because of the positive effects it will have on the Nigerian nation, in terms of job creation and wealth building.
“Manufacturing in Nigeria as will agree with me is no small feat, taking into cognisance the level of infrastructure deficiencies, like power and the recent security challenges we face in the country. Most companies now rely heavily on their own power generation with the use of generators for production, which is not cost effective at all. We therefore urge the government to encourage manufacturers and industrialists in the country by stabilising economic policies because the fluctuation in these policies poses a big problem to the Nigerian economy and it also discourages foreign investors,” the chairman said further.
In order to totally avoid the importation of wheat, the company has gone into the cultivation of wheat at Ebenebe in Anambra State, but currently sources wheat from a major noodle firm in Nigeria in order to augment, Okafor said.
The company currently produces 12,000 to 15,000 cartons of noodles daily, and hopes to increase capacity at a steady level. Al Grain Noodles are available in 90g packs and 120g packs.
Osa Victor Obayagbona
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