First Feedback from Fruit Logistica 2024: Sustainable Agriculture for All!

As Fruit Logistica 2024 has just concluded, COLEAD reflects on some of the fair’s highlights, considering its mission to serve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its programmes, funded by donors such the EU, OACPS, AFD, ENABEL, and STDF. COLEAD was present as an exhibitor through its FFM+, NExT Kenya, and AGRINFO programmes, facilitating numerous meetings with existing and potential partner beneficiaries. Among these operational and useful appointments, some particularly resonated with the association’s vision and mission.

The Importance of Alliances and Networks

The first day of the fair was marked by the visit of H.E. Valerie Rugene, Ambassador of Kenya to Germany, who highlighted the importance of international collaboration in trade and market access. Another key meeting that day was with Fairtrade Africa, who discovered and appreciated www.agrinfo.eu as a tool to support producers and exporters to better understand the evolution of European regulations and maintain their lead in a competitive market.

Meeting EU Requirements Adds Credibility for Exporters to Other Markets

From citrus in Zimbabwe with easy-to-peel and seedless varieties, to the booming market in Saudi Arabia, Fruit Logistica 2024 serves as a center for strategic business information. Knowing how to meet high-quality standards and thus access the demanding EU market allows producer exporters to gain credibility towards other international markets. This was highlighted, for example, by Malian companies like AFROLEG and NAKI SERVICES.

Sustainability and Climate Justice: fairmiles.org

The dilemma of transporting fresh products by air, highlighted through the panel organised by www.fairmiles.org at the fair on February 8, served to recall the complex equation in terms of sustainability, and in particular to highlight the interaction between the goals of reducing carbon emissions and accessing sustainable livelihoods. Africa contributes minimally to global emissions while suffering the most from climate change. Moreover, fresh product export chains employ and provide income to millions of African families. The question arises: is it moral for some European market players to decide not to import from these countries to reduce their ecological footprint? The debates also emphasised the need for climate justice, especially for the most vulnerable countries.

A Collective Call to Action

Fruit Logistica 2024 resonated with COLEAD’s call to action: embrace practices contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure a fair and equitable global food system. A testimony like that of Leah, a producer exporter from Kenya, was very illustrative of the impact of climate change on her country’s agricultural reality and the urgent need for inclusive and nuanced approaches to climate justice.

This 2024 edition of the world’s (still) leading fair for the horticultural sector collectively commits us to contribute to a future where agriculture not only feeds the world but does so in a sustainable, fair, and just manner for all. This is indeed the whole meaning of COLEAD’s mission and its programmes.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+), NExT Kenya (New Export Trade) and AGRINFO programmes.
The Fit For Market+ programme is implemented by COLEAD as part of the development cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union.
The NExT Kenya programme is implemented by COLEAD, funded by the European Union and established in collaboration with the EU Delegation in Nairobi and Kenyan stakeholders. The AGRINFO programme is implemented by COLEAD and funded by the European Union (EU).

This communication has been produced with the financial support of the EU and OACPS. The contents are the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the EU.