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News Digest: Brexit
The UK Government has announced a revised timetable for pre-notification and checks on plants and plant products for imports from the EU to Great Britain. The key points are:Full customs declarations and controls will be introduced on 1 January 2022 as previously announced. Exporters will no longer be able to defer customs declarations after 1 January 2022 unless they are authorised to do so.Safety and security declarations on imports will be required from 1 July 2022 (delayed from 1 January 2022).Requirements for pre-notification of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) goods will be introduced on 1 January 2022 (delayed from 1 October 2021). This includes High Risk Food and Feed Not of Animal Origin (HRFNAO) exported from a third country into the EU and then exported from the EU Member State into Great Britain (GB), which will need to be pre-notified from 1 January 2022. But the requirement for all HRFNAO to enter GB via a Border Control Post is delayed until 1 July 2022. The existing requirement to pre-notify HRFNAO destined for GB and transiting through the EU remains in place, and these products must enter GB via an appropriate designated Border Control Post.On 1 January 2022 pre-notification will be extended to all regulated plants and plant products imported from the EU. GB importers will need to pre-notify using the UK’s electronic Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS), but they will not require a phytosanitary certificate until 1 July 2022.Phytosanitary certificates and physical checks on SPS goods at Border Control Posts will be introduced on 1 July 2022 (delayed from January/March 2022).High priority plants already have to be pre-notified and require a phytosanitary certificate. Physical checks on high priority plants at Border Control Posts will be introduced from 1 July 2022 (delayed from 1 January 2022). Places of destination (PoD) authorised to receive high priority plants can continue until 1 July 2022; after that date regulated goods will need to be presented for inspection at a Border Control Post, inspection centre or control point. PoDs applying for authorisation as an inland Control Point should do so in good time before 1 July 2022.For low risk plants and plant products, checks at Border Control Posts will be introduced on 1 July 2022 (delayed from 1 March 2022).Source: UK Government Press Release, 14 September 2021
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Caribbean: Strategic review of the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency
With the support of COLEACP, the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) is undergoing significant changes to ensure that it fulfils its mandate and maximises the value it offers to member countries. CAHFSA’s role is particularly important in the current context of a global pandemic; the increasing importance of non-tariff barriers and agricultural nationalism; threats to food security; and the need to rapidly diversify and expand exports from the Caribbean region.For CAHFSA to contribute effectively to addressing these issues, an updated strategic direction was needed, to ensure that the agency’s mandate and actions are aligned with the needs of its members and its medium-term objectives, while setting ambitious but realistic high-level goals. An online strategic review working session took place on 7 September with CAHFSA’s main stakeholders, to capture the needs and ambitions of the plan, and to shape the future of the agency in an appropriate way. The objective was to lay the foundations for a new strategic direction for the organisation, focusing on creating value for members and ensuring the financial and operational sustainability of the agency.A group of 16 participants shared their views on the effect of the environment on the agency, to identify opportunities and threats. They discussed internal strengths and weaknesses and concluded by defining the agency’s ambition. This virtual session was the first opportunity in over five years for stakeholders to discuss CAHFSA’s strategic direction. COLEACP expert Miguel Camacho, emphasised the value of the highly engaged and active dialogue between participants and the importance of such activities for CAHFSA’s future.This activity is supported by the Fit For Market SPS programme, implemented by COLEACP within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union.
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Ethiopia: Unveiling of COLEACP Rapid SPS Assessment tool for the Ethiopian NPPO
A meeting was held on 15 September 2021 with the Ethiopian National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), the national focal point and the COLEACP team to introduce COLEACP’s Rapid SPS Assessment (R-SAT) tool. The R-SAT tool was developed by COLEACP to support relevant authorities, in consultation with key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, to assess the status and functioning of SPS systems. Bringing together the public and private sectors will allow the development of a priority action plan based on a common strategic vision.COLEACP will work with Ethiopia in carrying out some priority actions, mainly related to capacity building and technical partnerships. The objective is to develop a pathway for strengthening national SPS systems in Ethiopia and ensure their alignment with international standards and regulations. The tool is generally applied to one or two priority value chains but can provide results to be implemented in other sectors.This activity is supported by the Fit For Market SPS programme, implemented by COLEACP within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union.
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ECTAD CARIBBEAN: Taro/dasheen exporters seeking markets
The Eastern Caribbean Trading Agriculture and Development Organisation (ECTAD CARIBBEAN) is a national small farmers’ organisation based in St Vincent and the Grenadines, with connections and networks throughout the Caribbean. Its farmers produce a variety of crops, with taro/dasheen (Colocasia esculenta) being one of the main crops exported; secondary crops include eddoes, ginger and sweet potatoes. The organisation has been marketing taro/dasheen to clients in Europe for over ten years through its integrated production and marketing programme. It is now expanding its operations, looking for additional reliable and sustainable markets within Europe to ensure that its farmers can link their produce to sustainable markets.Shipping from St Vincent and the Grenadines is available on a weekly basis via the Geestline Shipping Company; it takes 21 days to reach England, from where the produce can be trans-shipped to any part of Europe.ECTAD CARIBBEAN offers the best competitive prices for these commodities as the farmers themselves are involved not only in producing but also in sorting, grading and packing of products, which reduces the transaction cost.ECTAD CARIBBEAN has good supplies available and is ready to develop business relationships to supply taro/dasheen and other products to the European market.
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New and upcoming publications from the Market Intelligence service
The latest market study from COLEACP’s Market Intelligence service is “State of play and opportunities of the European market for fruit and vegetables from ACP countries” – more information available here. COLEACP also produces market profiles – targeted studies focusing on specific countries and/or commodities, often at the request of stakeholders. The most recent are:
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Just published – the European market for fruit and vegetables from ACP countries
The latest market study from COLEACP’s Market Intelligence service is “State of play and opportunities of the European market for fruit and vegetables from ACP countries”.Four years on from our original 2017 report, this new publication provides an update on the evolution of the European market, and development opportunities on this market for fruit and vegetables of ACP origin.
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COLEACP training – Improving SPS practices along the whole Penja pepper value chain
Since June, training on good SPS practices for the Penja pepper sector has been continuing through the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) project “Strengthening the phytosanitary monitoring and certification system for Cameroon’s fruit and vegetable sector”.Stricter European regulations since 2016 threatened to limit the export potential of Penja pepper, a unique agricultural product originating from Cameroon. This project centres on supporting Penja pepper producers to understand the SPS risks and strengthening their capacity to deal with them. The emphasis is on multiple levels of training and engagement across all sectors of the Penja pepper value chain, including nursery workers, small- and large-scale producers, agricultural input distributors, processors and exporters. It also includes the national and regional authorities responsible for issuing phytosanitary certificates and for research.
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Business coaching: SwanCape Farms pushing to the next level
Dr Agnes FasehunDuring June and July 2021, SwanCape Farms, a fast-growing farm-to-door company in Nigeria, participated in business coaching with an Agri-Logic expert, organised and facilitated through the Fit For Market programme. Throughout 2020-21, business training and coaching has formed a key part of COLEACP’s Covid-19 Action Plan.The agri-business coaching focused first on issue resolution – human resources, cashflow and profitability, operations, competition and USPs – with the aim of moving from a “fire-fighting mode” to a “strategic thinking mode”. This was followed by a comprehensive strategy review, and planning for change to ensure that insights and learnings are implemented and embedded in the business.Following the 11 coaching sessions, Dr Agnes Fasehun, Managing Director of SwanCape Ltd, reports that the company has restructured its organisational chart and set strategic goals for the next four quarters. Changes to the weekly operational schedule now enable SwanCape to optimise delivery to supermarkets, and overall revenue has increased. Clarity on roles has enabled the entrepreneur to restructure the team and hire three new staff fit for the roles. Tools and templates provided have allowed the entrepreneur to document strategy, improve knowledge on the financial position, improve focus, and develop an action plan to improve profitability and scale the business from next year onwards. SwanCape’s enhanced e-commerce platform is at www.swancapefarms.comDr Fasehun worked closely with an expert facilitated by COLEACP – Sanne Steemers of Agri-Logic, a network of experts in management, consultancy and research that “operates where agricultural production, development, international trade and consumer markets intersect”.
News
Deadline extended: Join the Organic Africa Pavilion at BioFach 2022
There is still a chance for African organic suppliers to take part in the Organic Africa Pavilion at BioFach, which is happening in Nuremberg, Germany from 15 to 18 February 2022. The deadline for applications has been extended to 30 September 2021.
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News digest: Agri-food markets and production
Vanilla from Réunion Island has just been registered by the European Commission in the register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI). Its reputation is based on its unique aromatic bouquet, the result of the plant's perfect acclimatisation on the volcanic slopes of the east of the island and the know-how developed by the people of Reunion.Source: Commodafrica, 30 August 2021
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Six new Good Practice Guides – Updates
During 2021 COLEACP is providing a team of expert consultants to support national/regional initiatives to develop Good Practice Guides for horticultural value chains. These Guides are being developed, disseminated and kept up to date by stakeholders within each value chain. They are not COLEACP publications – they are written, owned and published by the professionals, within each country/region and crop sector, who will inform and use them. Stakeholders in the sector who take on this task receive practical support throughout the process from COLEACP expert consultants.Read more about the Good Practice Guides here. And read on to find out how the process is progressing in five countries.
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Getting the most out of trade fairs: New training offer and publications
One of the main challenges for ACP exporters is finding the right buyers. Many European businesses use trade fairs to manage their relations and show their presence on the market, so they are ideal places to meet with various importers. They also offer great opportunities to find information on your target market(s) and present your company directly to your potential customers. You will probably find a large concentration of relevant prospects in one place.But participating in trade shows will only be worth the investment if you are well prepared, for example by identifying your strategic goals and your new potential customers, knowing how to present your company and your products, etc. With the Covid-19 health crisis, some trade shows and fairs are now organised remotely or in a hybrid format (both face-to-face and digital), and digital participation requires a specialised approach.To help companies prepare to participate effectively in trade fairs and exhibitions, COLEACP is currently organising training sessions in English and French, with a focus on MacFrut 2021 (7–9 September) and Fruit Attraction 2021 (5–7 October). The training sessions alternate live sessions on Zoom and personalised coaching.A practical guide on "How to prepare for trade shows and fairs" has been developed to accompany the training.