Representatives of 11 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are undertaking a horticulture engagement mission to the European Union on 15 – 22 September 2024.
The mission is meant to increase the competitiveness and market access of the SMEs in horticulture, exploring market opportunities through active participation in value chains and facilitating networking opportunities for COMESA horticulture producers.
The mission is supported by the COMESA Regional Enterprise Competitiveness and Access to Markets Programme (RECAMP) funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF 11). It will enable the SMEs to establish business matchmaking platforms between COMESA producers and Dutch partners and other value chain actors within the EU.
Chief Executive Officer of the COMESA Business Council, Mr. Teddy Soobramanien, who is leading the delegation, highlighted Dutch market’s significance, with the Netherlands accounting for 28% of COMESA’s horticulture exports and global imports valued at €10.6 billion.
EDF Programme Manager at COMESA Secretariat Ms Mshuka Kamwela, pointed out that the EU was COMESA’s top export market in 2022, accounting for 44% of exports, up from 41% in 2021, and also served as the leading source of imports for the region.
Ms Kamwela, who has accompanied the delegation emphasized the critical role of the RECAMP programme in addressing key challenges, such as limited access to information, business linkages, and regional policies for value chain development.
“This mission, therefore, aligns with COMESA’s ongoing efforts to promote regional integration through trade facilitation, boosting economic growth and cooperation,” she said.
Apart from enhancing competitiveness for SMEs in the horticulture sector through exposure to supply chains in the EU and promoting knowledge exchange on best practices in horticulture, the mission is focused on connecting SMEs in the COMESA region with major players in the EU horticulture value chain, such as Fresh Produce Centre and Svensson.
The COMESA enterprises will engage in B2B meetings, with Dutch enterprises within the horticulture value chain, fruit and vegetable cultivation, flower production, logistics, packaging, crop protection, and import processes.
This will strengthen partnerships and identify business opportunities within the horticulture value chain while enhancing trade, fostering collaboration, and integrating SMEs from the COMESA region into global value chains.
Speaking on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, Business Expert Mr Arno Rhode expressed their gratitude for the mission, highlighting that it provided invaluable opportunities to create meaningful business linkages, strengthen ties within the global horticulture value chain and opened new opportunities for collaboration within the international horticulture value chain.
Other members in the delegation include the COMESA RECAMP Team Leader and Market Access Expert Mr. Nsangwa Ngwira and Mr. Hopewell Musundire CBC Business Development Officer.
The 10 SMEs are represented in the mission are Cooperative Taratra of Madagascar, Quality Farm Foods of Zambia, the Ethiopian Exporters Association, Kwithu Kitchen of Malawi, Lingflora Farm Pvt. Ltd of Zimbabwe, Horticultural Exporters Association of Uganda- Hortexa, Jana Agriculture and Naturesta Investments of Egypt, Nisela Farms of Eswatini, OTF Export Limited of Mauritius and Fresh Produce Limited of Kenya.