South Africa emerging fruit producers visit the Netherlands

Date: 31-01-2014

Location: The Hague / the Netherlands

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture in South Africa organized an Access Exposure trip to Europe with a group of emerging fruit producers and aspiring exporters.  Ms Bongiswa Matoti, delegation leader and Director of Agricultural Economics at the Western Cape Government, explained that the market access programme grew out of the Cape - Netherlands Agri Match Programme, (a former initiative of SANEC and the Western Cape Agricultural Department from 7 years ago.)

The Market Access Programme is part of a capacity building programme focusing on addressing issues and or barriers to entry up and downstream the value chain for improved market access. The European trip included meetings with SANEC, CBI (Centre for the promotion of imports) and the Fruit Terminal in Rotterdam as well as a working visit to Fruit Logistical Expo in Berlin. Additional visits to European ports, import houses, retailers were also incorporated.

SANEC introduced the Export Programme to the delegation, open to SME's farmers. Moreover the Netherlands Agro Food and Technology Centre (NAFTC) programme was introduced. The NAFTC will be in operation later this year via the SANEC Cape Office at the Dutch Consulate General office, to safeguard food security in Southern Africa.

To continue cooperation with the Western Cape Department of Agricultural SANEC aims to involve the fruit producers in the NAFTC programme, and will furthermore seek to participate in the Agri-Mega Expo to be held in April 2014.