NEW UNCTAD PUBLICATION REVIEWS MARKETING POTENTIAL FOR ORGANIC PRODUCE FROM TROPICAL COUNTRIES

NEW UNCTAD PUBLICATION REVIEWS MARKETING POTENTIAL

FOR ORGANIC PRODUCE FROM TROPICAL COUNTRIES

GENEVA, 31 October (UNCTAD) –- A new publication from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) looks at how developing countries can enhance their production and export capacities in organic agriculture, a growing market in the industrial world that is expected to grow between 10 and 30 per cent over the next five to 10 years.  But organic production methods are not yet well established in tropical developing countries, and so far the largest share of emerging markets for organic products, especially high-quality organic fruit and vegetables, has gone to farmers in the North.

The publication –- “Organic Fruit and Vegetables from the Tropics:  Market, Certification and Production Information for Producers and International Trading Companies” -– notes that the export value for organic food in 2000 was about $20 billion.  Europe led, with sales of about $9 billion, followed by the United States ($8 billion) and Japan ($1.5 billion).

But market entry for organic food is heavily restricted, the publication indicates.  The major challenge faced by many exporters of organic agro-food exports, particularly in least developed countries, is to meet the sanitary, phytosanitary and technical requirements of importing countries.  Rising consumer concerns in the affluent countries over the quality of organic food compound the difficulty of small farmers in meeting higher standards.

The new UNCTAD publication thus recommends that developing countries implement food quality and safety programmes to strengthen their ability to protect and enhance brands and private labels, promote consumer confidence and conform to regulatory and market requirements.  Intended for producers and trading companies from emerging markets, the publication looks at general aspects of organic farming in the tropics and subtropics, and studies the organic cultivation of such fruits and vegetables as guava, lychee, avocado, aubergine and watermelon.  It contains information on market potential and conditions for access to European, American and Japanese markets for organic products; details of production and processing requirements and best management practices; and a list of useful addresses and contacts in the target markets.

Contacts:  Press Office, tel: + 41 22 907 5828, e-mail: press@unctad.org, www.unctad.org/press; or D. Faye, tel:  +41 22 907 6224, e-mail:  djidiack.faye@unctad.org

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