South African Products International (Pty) Ltd. (SAPRO), was established in August 1997. Its purpose is to source locally manufactured Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and ship these goods to wholesalers and retailers overseas. These wholesalers and retailers in turn, cater principally to the ex-patriate South African community.
From an initial start of sourcing and shipping to the United Kingdom, Sapro has grown to supply on a regular basis customers in Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and certain countries within central Europe. The company is hoping soon to add one or two sub-Saharan African countries to its geographical spread too.
Just as SAPRO has expanded its geographical coverage, so too, has the company expanded the range of goods exported. There are certain unique products such as Mrs Ball's Chutney or Iwisa Maize-meal for which South African ex-pats apparently can find no local alternatives, but also in demand are Bakers and Pyotts biscuits, All Gold Tomato sauce, Ina Paarman and other spices and seasonings, fruit and fruit juices and many confectionery and snack items. In certain markets overseas, there is a demand for many of South Africa's well-known alcoholic beverages. SAPRO has a wholesale liquor licence and exports duty free liquor to those countries in which manufacturers do not have official agents or distributors.
SAPRO also supply a range of potjie and braai cooking equipment. In addition, the regular price list contains about 2500 line items in day to day demand, but the company prides itself on being able to provide at reasonable prices, any consumer product manufactured in South Africa.
The company is a family owned business, run by Audrey being in charge of the everyday company operations.
