Strengthening a HACCP system for export: the example of JOYTECH in Ethiopia

In brief

• Under the MAHEBER programme, Joytech PLC received post-training technical support to strengthen its HACCP system and food safety management practices.
• The intervention followed COLEAD’s training on HACCP principles, focusing on turning knowledge into operational improvements.
• Joytech PLC, based in Debre Zeit (Oromia Region), is an established horticultural exporter (herbs and flowers for European and UK markets), employing more than 1,400 workers, the majority women.
• Work carried out: reviewing HACCP documentation, a gap assessment, prerequisite programmes (PRPs), and validation of critical control points (CCPs), across farm and packhouse.
• The result: stronger readiness for certification and export market requirements.

Post-training support on HACCP

Having taken part in COLEAD’s training on HACCP principles, Joytech PLC received targeted support to strengthen its Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system and reinforce food safety management for export horticulture. The mission reviewed and strengthened HACCP documentation, carried out a detailed gap assessment, refined prerequisite programmes (PRPs), and validated critical control point (CCP) monitoring systems across farm and packhouse operations. Practical coaching, facility inspections, document reviews and staff interviews completed the approach.

Strong foundations, with room to improve

The assessment confirmed that Joytech already had a strong food safety foundation: structured operational systems, traceability procedures, trained personnel and active management commitment. Several improvement areas were nonetheless identified — infrastructure maintenance, process flow alignment, and stronger physical hazard control — and corrective actions were jointly agreed with management, in a logic of continuous improvement and certification readiness.

Successful knowledge transfer

A key outcome was the strengthening of internal technical capacity. Supervisory staff took an active part in HACCP plan review, hazard analysis exercises, CCP validation and food safety coaching, demonstrating genuine knowledge transfer and ownership of the process. By the end of the intervention, Joytech had significantly strengthened its HACCP readiness, improved PRP compliance, and enhanced its monitoring and verification systems — all assets for meeting export market requirements.

This activity is implemented by COLEAD and supported by the MAHEBER Program (Mobilizing Actors in Horticulture for Entrepreneurship and Boosting Ethiopian Resilience), funded by the European Union through the EU Delegation in Ethiopia. This communication has been produced with the financial support of the EU. Its contents are the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the EU.