Kenyas exports will now enter the 27-member European Union market duty free after the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) entered into force, on July 1, 2024. The move has now granted Kenyan exports a market reach of 500 million and in return Kenya will have to open its markets to EU products gradually over a 25-year period. In a statement on Monday, Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano confirmed that the EPA is now in force.
With the EPA, Kenya will now be granted duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market for all its exports, including coffee, flowers and minerals. “The agreement will boost bilateral trade in goods, increase investment flows, strengthen the ties between reliable partners, and facilitate mutually advantageous economic relations sustainably, stimulating job creation and economic growth,” said Miano.
According to the CS, the EU-Kenya EPA is the most ambitious deal negotiated with an African country in terms of sustainability and can serves as a template for other sustainable trade agreements.
The rise was partly contributed by the increase in domestic exports of cut flowers and avocados to the Netherlands and beans to France. Similarly, foreign export earnings from the United Kingdom rose from Sh44.6 billion in 2022, to Sh54.7 billion in 2023, largely driven by an increase in domestic exports of tea and cut flowers.
Read more at https://www.the-star.co.ke/business/kenya/2024-07-01-kenyan-exports-start-accessing-eu-market-duty-free/
The government and private sectors are undertaking various measures to guarantee the safety of agricultural commodity exports subject to stringent rules and regulations from receiving countries.
According to the horticulture industry, Ethiopian exporters and producers are in danger due to new regulations imposed by international regulatory authorities.
As a result, the government and industry participants are working hard to ensure that Ethiopian agricultural products, the main source of hard currency for the nation, continue to be exported.
Empowering the inspection facility prior to export is one of the most recent efforts toward this goal.
At a ceremony held on Thursday, June 27, at the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer and Exporters Association (EHPEA) head office, the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) received several phytosanitary inspection tools.
The equipment has been supplied to protect the safety of export goods, according to Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of EHPEA, in order to professionalize the inspection branch at Bole International Airport, the final point of departure for agricultural export products.
Tewodros said, “We have given over quarantine equipment, which our members financed, in accordance with the authority’s request. This will increase EAA’s capacity and boost export competitiveness.”
EHPEA claims that during the last two years, the association has collaborated with the government in several areas to guarantee the competitiveness of Ethiopia’s horticultural sector.
In order to maintain the sector’s competitiveness after the European Union Commission’s actions against the False Codling Moth (FCM), EHPEA and EAA have implemented several efforts, including five awareness-raising events.
Over 20,000 people have received training on the identification and management of FCM, and a national protocol has been developed in this area.
Tewodros stated, “The interception has decreased to eight in 2023 from 23 in 2022 because of this initiative. Since the requirement is zero tolerance, more efforts should be accelerated on a similar basis.”
“Our association, in collaboration with the farms and EAA, has successfully resolved Xylella fastidiosa bacterium cases that pose a challenge to cutting farms’ business,” he noted.
“Phytosanitary measures are essential to the horticultural industry’s competitiveness, and new EU regulations require more work in this area to guarantee the sector’s export,” he continued.
Global trade has become extremely difficult in the current situation due to tight emerging laws, according to Wondale Habtamu, Deputy Director of EAA and Head of the Ethiopian National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPO). “Most people know the European regulations, which are a subset of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the intergovernmental treaty that aims to protect the world’s plants, agricultural products, and natural resources from plant pests,” Wondale said.
The IPPC develops, adopts, and promotes the application of International Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) as the main tool to safeguard global food security, facilitate safe trade, and protect the environment.
“We have problems with FCM pests in relation to flower production and export,” he stated.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted research that designated FCM as a quarantine pest for the continent, meaning that agricultural products imported into Europe need to be closely inspected.
He praised the fact that “the interception in Ethiopia has significantly declined in this budget year due to EHPEA’s intensive work with growers, while interceptions have remained static or drastically increased in other African countries.”
The Deputy Director General claims that only 25% of export commodities from Ethiopia and Kenya are inspected compared to 100% in South Africa, Rwanda, and Uganda.
When the inspection rate climbs, it indicates that producers and exporters who bear the inspection costs would have to pay more.
The association and producers provided intensive training, which is credited with Ethiopia’s success since “training 20,000 farm employees is not an easy task.”
In addition, he mentioned that a number of projects had been completed, such as creating a protocol and submitting it to the UN and EU.
According to Wondale, “EHPEA and its members have now filled the gap in empowering the inspection effort at Bole International Airport, and the operational standards at the inspection site have also been developed with the association’s support.”
“When Xylella fastidiosa became an issue, the association supported the Xylella molecular test that was delivered to the EU,” he remembered, highlighting the association’s high level of engagement for the sector’s development.
According to him, the authority’s operations at Bole International Airport heavily depend on the instruments that the growers provided through their association.
“Since an error at Bole could damage the nation’s reputation, these capacity-boosting instruments will increase the accuracy of the inspection,” he said to Capital.
He continued, saying that “it will also enhance Ethiopia’s competitiveness” and that “it will give the European regulators an idea that Ethiopia is working strongly at every juncture point to maintain the safety of export items.”
“To maintain our reputation with the recipient countries, we are now rejecting export items that do not pass the inspection at Bole Airport before they fail at the destination.”
Experts in the field argue that Ethiopia’s interests will not have room in EU or other international legislation due to these safety cases being dynamic.”For example, the FCM pest has no effect in Ethiopia, but it will alter plant morphology when it travels to Europe. As a result, the EU will not negotiate on the matter because it would impact their biodiversity. Therefore, we have recognized the situation and established guidelines for how we will carry on with the trade,” they stated.
Wondale adds, “As a result, we have created a protocol and offer technical assistance to both commercial farms and small-scale farmers.” The government is also working with its European allies on a few of the EU’s Acts.
For example, the Forest Act failed to take into account the fact that Ethiopia grows its Arabica coffee inside forests or under tree cover; similarly, the Chemical Act has to take into account the climatic situation of tropical areas.
He gave Ethiopian elites advice on international treaties, regulations, and decrees that they should be aware of and follow for the good of their nation.
The Bole inspection facility, which was formerly involved in physical examination, has been modernized to offer technology-based services that meet international standards.
EAA administers about 50 inspection sites located across the country.
Source: https://www.capitalethiopia.com/2024/07/01/government-horticulture-industry-collaborate-to-maintain-agricultural-export-competitiveness-amidst-new-international-regulations/ By Muluken Yewondwossen, Photo by Anteneh Aklilu
The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) is proud to announce a significant step forward in protecting Ethiopia’s rose industry. Through a collaborative effort with member farms, EHPEA has bolstered the inspection capabilities of the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) at Bole International Airport’s cargo terminal.
This initiative involved procuring essential equipment like desktop computers, printers, cameras, protective gear, and mobile inspection tables. The official handover ceremony, held at the EHPEA office, was attended by H.E. Mr. Wondale Habtamu, EAA Deputy Director General, and representatives from member farms.
By equipping EAA inspectors with these vital tools, EHPEA aims to further professionalize the inspection process at Bole Airport. This will ensure that exported roses meet the highest international phytosanitary standards, safeguarding the Ethiopian rose industry’s continued success and export business.
In a bid to strengthen the Phyto-Sanitary system and also to further ensure the competitiveness of agricultural export from Ethiopia 🇪🇹, EHPEA today handed over 12 items including, among others, desktop computers, printer, cameras, eskimo suits, movable inspection tables, safety shoes, and the like…
This is aimed at further professionalization of the inspection at Bole International Airport.
The items were procured with the contribution of member farms.
EHPEA joined forces with NHO to bring you a unique training session on Collective Bargaining Agreements and Social Dialogue. This three-day workshop delved into the importance of fostering positive industrial relations, incorporating valuable insights from Norwegian experts.
The program catered to a diverse audience, attracting Human Resource Managers, Safety Officers, and Workers Union representatives. Through interactive sessions and discussions, participants gained a deeper understanding of effective negotiation strategies and communication techniques.
The learning experience culminated in a memorable farm visit. This hands-on session provided a platform to exchange best practices and witness the real-world application of the training.
This collaborative effort by EHPEA and NHO ensured a fruitful and enriching experience for all participants, empowering them to build stronger, more productive working relationships.
We’re excited to share the news of a major expansion at one of our esteemed EHPEA member farms, Tinaw Business Share Company! Established in 2006, Tinaw has become a prominent grower and exporter of high-quality fresh cut roses in Ethiopia.
Located just 175 km southwest of Addis Ababa, at a cool 1950 meters above sea level, Tinaw’s existing farm boasts over 18 varieties of stunning roses, with stem lengths ranging from 40 to 70 cm. Their beautiful blooms grace markets across Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, and the Gulf Countries.
The EHPEA management team recently visited Tinaw to offer their support and celebrate a significant milestone: a 33-hectare expansion project! Construction is well underway, with packhouses, fertigation systems, propagation areas, greenhouse sheds, essential facilities like change rooms, a reservoir, and access roads all being built at an impressive pace.
This exciting expansion will not only allow Tinaw to serve new destinations with their wide assortment of roses, but it’s also expected to create an additional 800 jobs! Muluqen Lemma, General Manager of Tinaw Share Co., is spearheading this ambitious project. He personally guided the EHPEA team on a tour of the expansion and discussed ways to further strengthen EHPEA’s support for Tinaw’s continued success.
We at EHPEA are incredibly proud of Tinaw’s achievements and thrilled to support their growth. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting expansion!
EHPEA acknowledges the recognition certificate award received from Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA), for the unwavering collaboration and active engagement in addressing emerging plant health issues within the Ethiopian horticulture sector
EHPEA’s dedication to working alongside the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) ensures a stronger and healthier future for Ethiopian horticulture.
The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) received a prestigious recognition award from the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) at the National Phytosanitary Conference. This award applauds EHPEA’s exceptional collaboration with the EAA in tackling plant health challenges within the horticulture sector.
EHPEA’s Dedication Earns Recognition on its proactive initiatives and unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural practices have significantly contributed to:
• Enhanced Phytosanitary Measures: Ensuring the health and safety of Ethiopian horticultural products for both domestic and export markets.
• Fostering Innovation: EHPEA plays a key role in encouraging collaborative efforts and innovative solutions to address plant health threats.
• Knowledge Transfer and Training: The association facilitates knowledge sharing and provides training on best practices to farmers and experts, empowering them to mitigate plant pest risks.
• Implementing Advanced Protocols: EHPEA actively supports the implementation of advanced plant health protocols, safeguarding Ethiopia’s valuable horticultural sector.
This recognition underscores the vital partnership between EHPEA and the EAA, highlighting their shared dedication to strengthening and safeguarding the future growth and productivity of Ethiopia’s horticulture sector.
The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) launched a project in May 2024 to combat False Codling Moth (FCM), a major threat to rose production and export. Partnering with rose growers and the Netherlands Embassy in Ethiopia, EHPEA has already made significant progress on major milestones;
• Over 20,000 Farm Workers Trained: This extensive program equips workers to identify and manage FCM infestations, safeguarding Ethiopia’s rose harvest.
• Enhanced Inspection Capacity at Bole Airport: EHPEA provided essential materials to the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) at Bole International Airport. This empowers inspectors to ensure exported roses meet the highest international standards.
• Organized two experience sharing activities for member farms to transfer practical knowledge and help farms combat the effects of FCM for a sustainable floriculture business in Ethiopia.
The fight doesn’t stop here. EHPEA is committed to further training extension workers and EAA inspectors, strengthening Ethiopia’s rose industry for continued success and export growth.
A successful National Phytosanitary Conference, themed “Shaping Present and Future Directions,” took place today at the Haile Grand Hotel in Addis Ababa. The event, co-organized by the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) and the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA), addressed critical phytosanitary concerns impacting Ethiopia’s major exports, including coffee, cut flowers, and cuttings.
The conference highlighted the importance of implementing International Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) to ensure national and global food security, facilitate safe trade, and protect the environment.
H.E. Ambassador Deriba Kuma stressed the need for collaboration and cooperation in establishing a robust national phytosanitary system urging active participation from all stakeholders.
Mr. Wondale Habtamu, the NPPO, delivered a keynote address on the technical aspects of phytosanitary measures and their role in international trade, plant resource protection, biodiversity, and Ethiopia’s ecosystem underlining the evolving requirements of importing countries.
Mr. Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of EHPEA, echoed the importance of collaboration between regulatory bodies, private sectors, and various stakeholders to implement international plant health standards. He also highlighted joint efforts by EAA, EHPEA, and others to bolster capacity in phytosanitary compliance, resulting in a significant reduction of False Codling Moth (FCM) interceptions, a major concern for European plant health regulations.
The event featured insightful presentations by subject matter experts on; EU plant health regulations, Emerging phytosanitary trends and their implications for East African countries, Challenges of False Codling Moth, as well as The role of public and private sectors in smooth export trade.
This vital conference paves the way for a more secure and sustainable future for Ethiopia’s export industry.
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Location : Micky Leyland Avenue on the Road to Atlas Hotel, NB Business Center; 6th floor; Room #603
