Paris, France, the Global Coalition of Fresh Produce released a report analyzing the current global fresh produce business environment in which it identifies critical issues facing the sector.
Afruibana, is a pan-African association of African fruit producers and exporters and a member of the coalition, supports this process.
As the Coalition reminds in its report, Global Value Chains for Fresh Produce: An Urgent Call for Policy Action, fruits and vegetables are an essential component of a healthy and sustainable diet, as well as an engine of economic growth and job creation worldwide.
The economic viability of the fresh produce sector is currently threatened by several challenges worldwide. These challenges include substantial cost increases, transportation inefficiencies and delays, labor shortages, declining consumer purchasing power, and international trade barriers…
Ron Lemaire of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association and chairman of the Coalition said: “Our sector has shown great resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and has guaranteed consumers’ access to healthy and nutritious products. But rising costs will ultimately be passed on to consumers in the form of reduced supplies and higher prices. »
According to the report, this inevitable increase will make it more difficult for consumers around the world to access healthy food. This is a reality that has already been observed, as consumers increasingly turn to less expensive and less healthy foods than fresh produce to control their food costs.
In addition, the economic difficulties faced by fresh produce exporters in developing countries are undermining the impact of poverty reduction efforts and threatening the livelihoods of millions of families.
In its report, the Coalition calls on national and international policymakers to urgently implement several measures to safeguard the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices for consumers around the world and thus ensure the sustainability of the sector, which is an important contributor to the economies of developing countries.
“First and foremost, governments and international bodies across the globe should recognize fruits and vegetables as essential goods » said Robert Guenther, Chief Public Policy Officer for the International Fresh Produce Association, and a member of the Coalition’s Steering Committee.
By establishing that fruits and vegetables are fundamental to the health of populations and an essential element in the shift towards more sustainable food systems, other measures can be unlocked to ensure their consistent supply”, Guenther stated.
Afruibana confirms the observations noted by the Coalition and endorses the proposed actions. It is urgent to act both for consumers and to support local industries.
