The improvement of compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards (SPS) by Ugandan fresh fruit and vegetable producers and exporters, is part of Uganda Agribusiness Alliance’s work related to Pillar I of the UAA Strategic Plan, promoting “a conducive environment for agribusiness industry development.”

Uganda’s exports of fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV) have become an important source of actual and potential revenue for the nation. According to inspector reports from the PQIS (Phytosanitary and Quarantine Inspection Services) of the Department of Crop Inspection and Certification of MAAIF, exports to the EU represent approximately 60% of all FFV exports, with the other 40% going mainly to the Middle East and very little going to Uganda’s neighbours. In particular, roughly 27 % of the Ugandan chillies (Capsicum) production was exported to the EU in 2015. Therefore, the export of FFVs, particularly chillies, is very important for the stakeholders in the FFV value chain. Curry leaves, chillies (Capsicum), jack fruit, bitter gourd, soursop, mango, basil, okra, and some minor FFV commodities have been severely affected by SPS problems and as a result, most of the products cannot comply with EU Phytosanitary requirements nor with the relevant international standards. Consequently, there has been a reduction in export volume as a result of incompetence in the production and management of the harmful organisms that are regulated by the EU. In addition to this major challenge, the horticultural value chain in Uganda is facing a number of other challenges that may have a – direct or indirect – impact on the above-described phytosanitary problems, while it may also affect food safety through, for example problems with exceeding Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of pesticides.

The main causes of these SPS problems for Uganda exports of FFV have been identified as “poor agronomic practices, poor extension services, poor markets and marketing infrastructure, weak producer groups, and poor coordination among various stakeholders.” (STDF/RNE Project Grant Application, MAAIF, 2018.) Correspondingly, in order to improve Uganda’s exports of FFVs through improved compliance with SPS standards, some of the main needs are to improve agronomic practices including through improving extension targeted to those practices; improving information about desirable market opportunities and requirements for reaching those markets; improving the information and capacity building resources available to producer groups; and improving ongoing communication and coordination among as many stakeholders in all categories of actors along the FFV export value chain as possible.

Diagnostic Mapping of the Sanitary & Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) system in Uganda

A Diagnostic Mapping of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) system in Uganda was conducted from March to May 2019 as part of a larger 3-year Project funded by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Royal Netherlands Embassy (RNE) in Uganda, titled “Enhancing the capacity of the Fruit and Vegetable Sector to comply with Phytosanitary requirements for export to EU, other high end markets and regional markets” (STDF/PG/543 / RNE). The Diagnostic Mapping was conducted toward the beginning of the 3-year project period in order to understand more about the high non-compliance levels of Ugandan fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) exports to the European market, “especially due to the detection of quarantine pests”, and also “to improve the SPS system [in Uganda] to serve also wider marketing opportunities in other western markets and in the region.” (MAAIF, 2018). [Click here to access The Diagnostic Mapping of the Sanitary & Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) system in Uganda]

Market Study to Assess Opportunities to Increase Current and New Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exports from Uganda to High Value Markets

Uganda Agribusiness Alliance (UAA) conducted a market study “to assess opportunity to increase fruit and vegetable exports to both new and current markets with improved SPS compliance”. The study was done as a prerequisite to generate information to be used to develop in drafting a “Uganda Export Marketing Strategy for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables”. The report on the study included background information on fresh fruit and vegetable export marketing from Uganda, and information on the new European plant health regulations that went into effect December 2019. Fresh fruits and vegetables with promise for export suggested by key stakeholders and by research were evaluated by manageability of market requirements, scalability, value chain structure, and regional competitiveness. The report included information on the enabling environment, both public and private, in Kenya and Ethiopia for FFV exports. [Click here for the Market Study to Assess Opportunities to Increase Current and New Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exports from Uganda to High Value Markets]

SPS Multi-Stakeholder Platform: The SPS Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) has been established to complement and support the existing (and more permanent) national coordination mechanisms in increasing ownership of the responsibility for improvement in SPS compliance by private sector actors in Uganda. The initial focus of the SPS Multi-Stakeholder Platform will be on following through on several key recommendations of the SPS Diagnostic Mapping study conducted by UAA in March-May 2019.

Vision of the SPS Multi-Stakeholder Platform: Improved market access to the EU and other high-end markets for Ugandan fresh fruits and vegetables

Mission of the SPS Multi-Stakeholder Platform: To Increase the number and diversity of participants involved in the MSP among those categories represented in the national coordination mechanisms; to Involve key private sector actors/SPS stakeholders in the meetings and activities of the proposed Platform who are not yet represented in the national coordination mechanisms; and to use the expanded influence and increased resources brought by these private sector actors to add to the efforts of the national coordination mechanisms in enabling the above activities.

Objectives of the SPS Multi-Stakeholder Platform:

Objective 1: Communication and coordination within and among all key stakeholders in both private and public sectors will be improved.

Objective 2: A high-level strategic plan for SPS improvement in Uganda will be developed and validated by the MSP.

Objective 3: Participants in the MSP will join existing efforts to advocate for improvements in regulation of agricultural inputs; and to advocate for increased funding for agricultural extension, agricultural research, and for hiring more agricultural inspectors.

Objective 4: Public sector SPS regulators will use the MSP meetings and network to disseminate important SPS related information to private sector SPS actors and the networks they represent.

Objective 5: Private sector SPS actors will use the MSP meetings and network to provide important feedback and advocacy to public sector SPS regulators and policy makers.

Objective 6: MSP participants will use the MSP meetings and network to hold accountable public sector and private sector actors for the SPS-related responsibilities they have.

Membership and Secretariat

Membership in the SPS Multi-Stakeholder Platform is open. At present, membership includes farmers and farmer organizations; agricultural advisory service providers; brokers (“middlemen”); exporters and exporter associations; providers of agricultural inputs, packaging, cargo handling services and airlines; scientific/technical service providers; NGOs with a focus on trade policy; development partners; the Department of Crop Inspection and Certification at MAAIF; officials from other departments in MAAIF; representatives of other government MDAs and of the Presidential Investors Round Table.

The SPS Multi-Stakeholder Platform has an Advisory Committee which is broadly representative of the major stakeholder constituencies of the Platform, including representatives of farmers, exporters, product providers, scientific service providers, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade, and agribusiness development NGOs.

Secretariat Services for the SPS Multi-Stakeholder Platform have been provided since it began, by UAA. Services include research on markets and trade regulations; drafting documentation including grant requests, organizational guidelines, and strategic plans; and logistics for holding in-person and virtual meetings.

Activities

The SPS Multi-Stakeholder Platform meets at least once every 3 months, and sometimes more often including virtual meetings. At these meetings key updates are presented and discussed, including updates from the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade, from the Presidential Investors Roundtable, and from recent research conducted by UAA. Discussion of these updates, requests for funding (e.g., for skilling key parts of the FFV export value chain), strategic planning input, and other topics are discussed as well.