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The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has taken a major step forward in its agro-processing and beverage portfolio expansion, as management recently sampled four production recipe formulations supplied by Finwerd, a Netherlands-based recipe development firm.
The tasting session, held under the leadership of BIPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha Jr., CFA, featured recipes for orange juice, malt drinks, and ginger-based beverages. The formulations were formally presented to BIPIC executives and carefully evaluated during the session.
Speaking after the tasting, Dr. Asemakaha described the development as a “significant step” toward building BIPC’s capacity to transform locally sourced agricultural produce into high-quality finished goods suitable for both domestic consumption and potential export markets.
He commended the visionary leadership of Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, whose administration has created an enabling environment that continues to attract strategic international partnerships and positions BIPIC as a key driver of industrial and economic growth in the state.
Dr. Asemakaha highlighted the booming beverage market in Nigeria, noting that alcoholic beverage consumption alone reached an estimated ₦1.5 trillion in 2025. He stressed the urgent need for greater investment in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic alternatives, particularly healthier options that can meet evolving consumer preferences.
“The proposed BIPC non-alcoholic products are designed to provide healthy options for consumers while tapping into a growing beverage market,” he said. “Our products are structured to serve as a constructive alternative in the beverage industry, while utilizing our abundant agricultural resources.”
The initiative forms part of BIPC’s broader strategy to tackle post-harvest losses, which Dr. Asemakaha noted can account for up to 95 percent of losses in some agricultural value chains. By focusing on “low-hanging fruits” such as oranges and mangoes, the company aims to add value at the processing stage, create employment opportunities, and increase income for local farmers.
The collaboration with Finwerd is expected to accelerate BIPC’s agro-industrialization agenda and further strengthen Benue State’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural hubs. With these new beverage lines in development, BIPC is positioning itself to play a more prominent role in reducing import dependence, boosting local value addition, and supporting sustainable economic development across the state.
