As developing economies strive to attain a place of reckoning in the global market,
‎Cardinal Torch Company Limited, Nigeria’s leading agro-commodities export and product innovation firm, has renewed commitment to driving growth and transforming the nation’s burgeoning agro-commodities market.
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‎Addressing journalists in Lagos, David Oladunjoye Olurin, MD/CEO of Cardinal Torch Company Limited, stated that, on a continental level, the firm’s mission is to redefine agricultural trade across Africa by building an efficient, technology-enabled, and globally competitive commodity value chain. He added that the company is expanding beyond commodity trading by investing in modern agro-processing facilities that transform raw agricultural produce into higher-value products.
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‎A distinguished business leader with an exceptional track record spanning over two decades, Mr. Olurin explained Cardinal Torch’s strategic investment in agro-processing and its rapid expansion into building state-of-the-art plants that will add significant value to raw commodities in Nigeria.
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‎Explaining the company’s consumer brand offerings, he highlighted that Cardinal Treats is Cardinal Torch’s premium consumer food brand developed to bring Nigerian-grown cashews to retail consumers around the world.
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‎”We launched with a diverse range of premium roasted cashew products, which combine world-class quality with exciting flavours ranging from coconut coated, pepper spiced, unsalted, salted and caramel glazed.”
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‎Mr. Olurin added that the cashew products will initially serve the Nigerian market before expanding into strategic export markets, including the United Kingdom, Dubai, Europe, North America and selected African countries.
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‎On future investment, he noted, “We are also making significant future investments in modern agro-processing facilities for products like Cardinal Drinks, Cardinal Treats Soya Oil, Cardinal Treats Rice and Cardinal Treats Spaghetti which will enhance income and create jobs.”
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‎Drawing inferences from global best practices in agro-commodities, especially the United States, Emmanuel Mshelia, the Chief Technical Officer of Cardinal Torch,
‎averred that developing brands that highlight the quality and uniqueness of Nigerian produce can attract premium prices.
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‎He is optimistic that the Nigerian agro-commodities market can witness rapid transformation if the government
‎addresses current challenges and capitalise on available opportunities to solidify its position as a key player in the global agro-commodities landscape. .
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‎Also speaking, Ndutimobong Sunday, Head of Business Development and Commercial of Cardinal Torch, noted that one of the key drivers of the company’s export competitiveness is product quality.
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‎She emphasised that Cardinal Torch places strong emphasis on sourcing from known, reliable and superior produce, while implementing quality checks from origin to shipment.
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‎On his part, Bamitale Akindele, Executive Director, Operations & Logistics, Cardinal Torch, revealed that the company’s operational strategies and initiatives hold several possible milestones that could position Nigeria on the global industrialisation map.
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‎Calling on the government to position Nigeria’s agro-commodities market for growth and global competitiveness by creating an enabling policy environment, the Cardinal Torch management reiterated its commitment to shifting from raw subsistence exports to structured value addition, especially in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector. It added that the government’s efforts to ensure quality standardisation and transparent commodity exchanges will take the country’s local agro-processing sector to the next level.
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‎Founded in Nigeria in 2020, Cardinal Torch believes that Africa’s agricultural potential deserves stronger value chains and greater global opportunity. The company innovatively explores the need for a more connected strategy that transforms commodities into lasting value through responsible sourcing, processing, logistics, and trade. With strategic vertical integration and logistics coordination, Cardinal Torch is well-positioned to compete globally.
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‎Photo caption: From left – Emmanuel Mshelia, Chief Technical Officer; David Olurin, MD/ CEO; Ndutimobong Sunday, Head of Business Development & Commercial and Bamitale Akindele, Executive Director, Operations & Logistics all of Cardinal Torch company Limited at the Cardinal Torch Media Parley recently held in Lagos.