adminWilson Dakwa, Business Reporter
FARMERS should research on markets, form clusters and acquire internationally recognised certification prior to engaging in exports, an expert has said.
Speaking on the sidelines at a ZimTrade export awareness seminar for Matabeleland horticulture producers in Bulawayo last week, Netherlands-based horticulture expert Mr Peter de Wit said farmers also ought to produce enough produce to substitute importation of products during the off-season period.
“Farmers ought to research and also subscribe for newsletters which offer information on export markets. After this, they should form co-operatives as this will help the farmers to meet demand, offer buyers more assurance, control and efficiency. Clusters will also reduce costs for packaging material, pesticides, transport.
“Exportation requires professionalism and is much more risky than working for the local market. At the moment, the minimum requirement for a farmer to be able to export his/her produce to the European market is a Global Good Agricultural Practices (GLOBAL GAP) certificate,” said Mr de Wit.
Mr de Wit said he had since initiated the establishment of clusters in several countries namely the CVF, a co-operative of 450 Dutch farmers producing peas — beans for the canned and frozen industry, the Egyptflor, which has 14 summer flower producers in Egypt, the Combinatie 2000, six Dutch growers of vegetables who are delivering as a group to two retail organisations and others.
He added that Zimbabwe has conducive climate conditions and potential to meet the demand for horticulture products in Europe for produce such as flowers, stone fruit, vegetables and citrus fruit.
Zimbabwe is seeking to grow horticultural exports through engaging Europe-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Liaison Committee (COLEACP) to improve market access, facilitate access to finance and tap technical assistance.
COLEACP supports companies producing and exporting fresh and processed fruit and vegetables from countries to develop and improve market access, facilitate access to finance, market intelligence and technical assistance.
According to trade promotion agency ZimTrade, Zimbabwe’s horticultural exports amounted to $72,1 million in 2015, a significant increase from $49 million in 2014. Netherlands was the biggest single buyer of Zimbabwe’s fresh produce, accounting for $32,6 million (45 percent) of total horticulture exports.
Mr de Wit also added that in the next five years, most European retailers will not accept products delivered via air freights due to the carbon footprint emitted by cargo plane.
“Air freights are not environmental friendly and many consumers in Netherlands are complaining about products which come by air and in the process cause pollution. Sea freights are much more environmental friendly.
“Planning and timing of delivery is essential to ensure that your product does not lose shelf life due to temperature variations which arise from poor handling and re-packing. Once the produce reaches the market, it will have to be sold as fast as possible,” said Mr de Wit.
A cargo plane has less carrying capacity compared to a cargo ship, which is considered to be a much greener transportation mode. However, sea freighting is a slower mode of delivery, which means a longer pay-out period by the customer. -@WilsonDakwa1
Bongani Ndlovu