The Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) has analyzed four production recipes from Finwerd, a Netherlands-based recipe development company, as part of efforts to expand its agro-processing and beverage portfolio.
The recipes, which include formulations for the production of orange juice, malt and ginger drinks, were formally presented to the management of BIPC and tasted during a session led by the Group Managing Director, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, CFA.
Speaking after tasting the recipes, Dr. Asemakaha described the development as a significant step towards strengthening the company’s capacity to process local agricultural produce into finished goods for both domestic consumption and export.
He lauded the leadership of the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for creating an enabling environment that has attracted strategic partnerships and positioned BIPC as a driver of industrial growth in the state.
The GMD noted that Nigeria alcoholic beverage consumption rose to an estimated 1.5 trillion in 2025, stressing the need for increased investment in alcoholic and non-alcoholic alternatives.
According to him, the proposed BIPC non-alcoholic products are designed to provide healthy options for consumers while tapping into a growing beverage market. “Our products are structured to serve as a constructive alternative in the beverage industry, while utilizing our abundant agricultural resources,” he said.
Dr. Asemakaha further explained that the initiative aligns with the company’s broader strategy to reduce post-harvest losses, which he said account for up to 95 percent of losses in some agricultural value chains. He emphasized that processing “low-hanging fruits” such as oranges and mangos would not only add value but also create jobs and increase income for local farmers.
The partnership with Finwerd is expected to further boost BIPC’s agro-industrialization drive and reinforce Benue State’s position as a leading agricultural hub in Nigeria.
