Agroalimentaria is the main trading platform for agricultural and agro-industrial products in the Caribbean region. From 9 to 11 May, Dominican producers and exporters, as well as national and multinational companies in the food, tobacco and beverage sectors, will meet to present their products and know-how to the world. Tropical fruits, vegetables, condiments and spices, bananas, coffee and cocoa, particularly from organic farming, will be in the spotlight. During the event, COLEACP will give a presentation on the challenges facing… +

They also remove the self-assessment and remote audit element of the certificate extension. For more details, see https://www.brcgs.com/about/news/2020/brcgs-announces-revised-guidance-for-sites-affected-by-covid-19/… +

Leaders of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a joint statement on March 31 calling on governments to minimize the impact of border restrictions related to COVID-19 on the food trade. “Now is the time to show solidarity, act responsibly and adhere to our common goal of enhancing food safety, food security and nutrition and improving the overall well-being of people around the world,” the agency’s leaders said.… +

The portal includes FAO’s key messages and actions in response to this outbreak, as well as a series of questions and answers on the impact of COVID-19 on food and agriculture and a set of analyses and solutions on food and agricultural systems in the following areas: Development and transformation Emergencies Incentives and expenses Nutrition Priorities Smallholder access to markets Social protection systems Market Access… +

GFSI’s Technical Committee and Board of Directors, comprised of food safety representatives from some of the world’s largest food and beverage manufacturers and distributors, have worked to ensure that GFSI’s Covid-19 position places consumer safety at the heart of their decision-making. Their priority is to ensure that confidence in the food and beverage supply chain remains high in these uncertain times. GFSI’s position reflects what to do in the event that requirements stipulated by national regulations differ from those prescribed… +

“There’s bound to be a before and after Coronavirus. The digital support to systems and pedagogical models will finally be recognized and promoted in universities, the virtual always pulling upwards,” said Claude Lishou, professor at the University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar in Senegal, and holder of the UNESCO Chair “ICT and development of higher education in West Africa”, in an interview with News Tank, 31/03/2020. He believes that “African universities have the foundations to overcome the crisis, they can… +

Vert LTD is a horticultural company based in Machakos, Kenya that specializes in growing and exporting fresh produce specifically for the European market. The company sells fine vegetables (French beans, snow peas, sugar snaps) to the EU market. In addition, they have started to process mangoes into pulp for national and regional markets since last year. Jane gives us an update on the current market situation for its fine vegetables. From a logistical perspective, there is a significant capacity shortfall… +

Logistics remains the main problem for Kenya’s vegetable exporting producers. Commercial passenger flights have not been allowed to land in Nairobi since last Wednesday. This was the most common means of transport used to send vegetables to Europe. Members of FPEAK (Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya) are convinced that they can easily fill a plane (100 tons) several times a week. All stakeholders in the Kenyan horticultural sector are mobilizing to try to maintain jobs and incomes and avoid… +

SOUTH AFRICA As the country most affected in Africa by Covid-19, an unprecedented three-week containment was decreed. The government has banned the sale of alcohol and cigarettes and all travel. The authorities have planned an aid plan to make it easier for banks to borrow and lend. BENIN Containment officially began on March 30, 2020. It is not a general confinement, only twelve cities in the south of the country, including Cotonou, Ouidah, Allada and Porto-Novo, the capital, are concerned.… +