Green Petal Date Fruit Syrup
Fakiyesi
Recently, during a visit to the small-scale industrial estate in Matori, Lagos, Nigeria, I stumbled upon a small factory that piqued my curiosity, prompting me to go inside. Upon entering, I was warmly greeted by Mrs. Taribo Fakiyesi, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of ISTS Natural Limited. As I looked around the factory, I was truly impressed by the cleanliness of the environment and the organization of the production equipment. It was clear why Green Petal Date Syrup had received NAFDAC approval.
In the production room, I noticed several bowls filled with a brownish liquid but didn’t immediately understand what it was. Not hesitating, I asked, “Madam, what do you produce here?” With a smile, she replied, “It is called Date Syrup, made of fate fruit.
Date fruit is highly medicinal, offering numerous health benefits. It helps lower cholesterol, is rich in disease-fighting antioxidants, strengthens bones, promotes brain health, improves digestion, controls diabetes, enhances skin health, is an excellent source of vitamins C and D, and improves heart health, among other benefits.
She offered me a cup of Green Petal Date Syrup to taste. I was not only impressed by its wonderful flavour but also found myself spreading the word about this product to those around me.
For Mrs. Mrsyesi, starting the date syrup business was a blessing in disguise. Her search for an alternative to sugar for her son, who has special dietary needs due to autism, led her to discover date syrup. “We can’t afford to give him sugar, so we had to look for a healthier alternative; that’s how Green Petal Date Syrup was born,” she explained.
Green Petal Date Syrup is great as a spread for bread but can also be added to sweetened pap, tea, oats, and flakes.
Despite being a young brand, Green Petal is already gaining traction in the market. It is available in several popular supermarkets and stores across Lagos, though Mrs. Mrsyesi aspires to make her product available throughout Nigeria. “Some locations, like Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), sell our syrup because consumers recognize its health benefits. So far, so good; the brand is thriving, and more people are becoming aware of it.”
The vision is for the brand to reach every corner of the country, other African nations, and eventually markets in the Western world. The abundance of date fruit in Nigeria and neighbouring countries makes sourcing raw materials relatively easy.
According to Mrs Fakiyesi, about N10 million is needed for immediate expansion. “As a small-scale business, we believe that N10 million would help us reach our goals for now before contemplating global expansion,” she said.
Investors, banks, and distributors nationwide should view this as an exciting investment opportunity.
