From data to knowledge, from knowledge to action: agri-food market information tools and activities delivered in 2024 and planned for 2025

The Market Insights department is part of COLEAD’s Facilitating Access to Markets division. Its main objective is to translate qualitative and quantitative data into (i) an in-depth understanding of agri-food markets and (ii) concrete initiatives for the benefit of partners benefiting from COLEAD and its programmes in terms of marketing or sales. To this end, the team facilitates the exchange of information and the establishment of B2B relationships useful to support the decision-making processes. The team is made up of internal and external experts specialised in the international agri-food sector. The year 2024 has produced a number of outputs, which are listed below:

Knowledge sharing

Eight webinars were organised this year as part of the FFM+ programme, with 1,150 participants. You can follow or discover these webinars in English or French on the COLEAD YouTube channel.

15 dashboards on the COLEAD Market Analytics page have been improved and updated. Navigation has been improved and each dashboard now includes a home page and a guide to configuring the main data filters. All dashboards now have a common layout and configuration, making it easier to navigate between volumes and values. The data covers all countries and a wide range of agricultural products (cereals, cocoa, livestock, fisheries, etc.).

How to use the new COLEAD statistical dashboards

International fairs and events

In 2024, as part of FFM+, the department participated in more than 10 international fairs and conferences, including Fruit Logistica, Biofach, Macfrut and SIAL. These events allowed us to carry out in-depth research on products such as citrus, mango and pineapple and to identify the latest trends in the sector.

Publications

Several studies and profiles were carried out in 2024 as part of the FFM+ programme: studies on the mango, avocado, citrus and (Kenyan) flowers sectors; market profile on papaya. These and other materials can be found in the COLEAD online library.

Materials and activities planned for 2025. Stay tuned!

• Webinars: systematic presentation of market dashboards, market profile on papaya, market profile on coffee from Tanazania, feedback from international trade fairs, fruit and vegetable markets in West Africa, agricultural packaging (regulations and trends).
• Statistical dashboards: Continuously updated, in particular by integrating TRACES and RASFF notifications on the EU market.
• Publications: Sector studies on pineapples, mangoes from the Dominican Republic, fruit and vegetables from sub-Saharan Africa, and others on honey, fisheries and coffee value chains.
• Trade fairs and conferences: Focus on Middle East and UK markets with presence at Gulfood (Dubai) and IFE (London), Fruit Logistica, Biofach, Fruit Attraction, Mac Frut, ExpoMango25, IAT 2025, …
• Database: Continuously enriched and available on request with key contacts (importers, equipment and packaging suppliers) identified at trade shows.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.