The relationships you build with your export agent and other key role-players become the oil that makes the exporting engine work smoothly. This is probably the most important part of exporting fresh produce. Your export agent is your key player, the person with whom you will have the most dealings…
Exporting is the ultimate marketing aim for any serious fruit or vegetable farmer, but it needs time, high standards, commitment and good management.* Many people encourage new farmers to export because it is seen as a lucrative marketing option. But they say this without really understanding what’s needed to be…
The Ethiopian government plans to set up 5 big clusters of horticulture farms to help shift the focus of the sector to export-oriented productivity. Deputy Ethiopian Investment Commissioner Belachew Mekuria said the plan entails setting up horticultural farm parks in selected areas that have access to one-stop export processing services…
The Egyptian government has ordered all strawberry and pepper exporters to register their farms and print all sourcing and export data on their packaging to enable traceability in case problems arise with shipments. The decision follows a ban on the import of Egyptian oranges, peppers and strawberries by the Kingdom…
The Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation has tightened inspection procedures for export fruit following threats by the European Union (EU) and Saudi Arabia to curtail Egyptian imports due to high pesticide contamination. In a statement issued on 30 December, the ministry said the move was meant to increase…
Swaziland’s sugar exports are likely to decline after the European Union’s (EU) deregulation of the industry. Swazi sugar farmers have struggled to assert themselves outside the EU. Sugar farmers in the world’s only absolute monarchy have for decades benefitted from the EU’s cap on annual sugar production. It kept prices…
Angola has a vast market for Zambian agricultural products, said the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA). Angola’s potential for agro imports is the result of a 27 year-long civil war that crippled its agricultural production. Livestock was killed and irrigation systems are in disrepair. Before the civil war, the country was…
Large maize harvests combined with large carry-over stock could mean South African grain farmers will have to turn to planting more groundnuts in the coming season. Higher yields and prices in the previous season can now stimulate local markets to explore historic markets and exploit new opportunities. Data from GrainSA…
A suspected outbreak of foot and mouth disease(FMD) has been reported at the Namayane crush in Ngamiland, in Botswana’s North West Province. According to the Directory of Veterinary Services’ Dr Lethogile Modisa, the disease was first spotted by farmers who noticed cattle with suspicious symptoms. In an investigation, five animals…
Zambian avocado growers are negotiating with South African buyers to export Hass avocado to South Africa. Avocado Growers Association of Zambia (AGAZ) chairperson Smart Lungu says local farmers can produce 40 000 tons of avocado to satisfy the demand in South Africa. “Negotiations to export to South Africa are advanced.…
Zambian Livestock and Fisheries Minister Michael Katambo on Wednesday announced a ban on the import of locally grown species, despite the prevailing fish deficit of 40 000 tons per year. “We will only allow the importation of exotic fishes that are not found in Zambian water bodies,” Katambo said. Katambo…
The Zambian government has called on the Tanzania Zambia Railways Authority (TAZARA) and Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) to ease the export of 1.2 million tons of maize to East Africa. Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya said the transport of maize by rail will be cheaper than if done by road. Road…
Kenyan millers say the import of duty-free sugar from Zambia and other countries can suffocate the local industry. In May, the Kenyan government permitted cheaper sugar imports without restrictions on quantity or specific importers to cushion the country’s deficit of more than 300 000 tons. The move also allowed Kenya…
According to logistics, South African maize exports are doing well this month. However, it is problematic that there is not enough orders, said Hampie Lourens, Managing Director of South African Bulk Terminals, which handles most of the country’s exports. “The prices are too high to get greater exports and the…
The sixth South African crop estimate was released yesterday and South Africa is set to harvest its biggest maize yield ever – 15, 969 million tons. The National Crop Estimate Committee (CEC) increased the expected maize crop with 2.16% from the previous estimate. This means this years’ commercial crop harvest…
The Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) says Zambian food manufacturers must up-scale production to enter lucrative export markets. This is as it emerged that Zambian exports to South Africa were unequal to that of imports from that country. ZIPAR research fellow Mwanda Phiri said local food producers…
The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) says it will earn US$13 million from the export of surplus maize from the 2016 farming season. FRA Executive Director Chola Kafwabulula said the agency would earn the money for facilitating the transaction of exporting 100,000 tons of maize to East Africa. According to FRA,…
Rob Davies, South Africa’s minister of Trade and Industry, expressed his commitment to increase trade and trade imbalances with Zambia. This comes two days prior to the minsters Outward Trade and Investment Mission to Lusaka from 24 to 25 July in which 22 South African companies will also partake. “This…
Kenya will import 40 000 tons of sugar from Zambia, says Finance Minister Felix Mutati. This deal follows a recent trade mission by Mutati and Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya to the East African country. Mutati said the mission will facilitate the export of sugar - along with 100 000 tons…
Faced with a decline of more than 50% in production since last year, Zambian tobacco producers want Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption to gain market competitiveness. In submissions to the 2018 national budget, the Tobacco Association of Zambia (TAZ) said scrapping VAT will level the playing field for local producers…
Input costs for commercial maize farmers in Zambia right now are running at about US$1 600/ha (K14 400/ha). At yields of 8t/ha (8 tons per hectare) and a price of US$200/t (K 1 800/t) or K90/bag the commercial farmer will just break even. It is a little more difficult to…
Zambian and foreign maize buyers are locked in a price war following liberal pricing and the opening up of export markets by government. Local media are reporting that so intense is the price war that the state-owned grain buying firm, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), also faces fierce competition from…
South African maize exports have been on an upwards curve for the last two weeks, mostly thanks to massive orders from Taiwan and Kenya. In the week ending 30 June, 112 574 tons of maize were exported, with 86 920 tons exported in the previous week. In the last three…
Zambia’s state grain buying entity, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), is selling 100 000 tons of maize from its strategic reserves to create storage space for new crops. The FRA is expected to buy 500 000 tons this marketing season. “This is white maize designated for export at various depots…
