ITC Publications

Resources on trade and export development for exporters, trade support institutions and policymakers 

Organic Food Products in China
Market overview

Chinese imports of organic foods were about US$ 20 million in 2009, a limited amount compared with the size of the population, but the market has been growing rapidly and may become promising for least developed country exporters. This publication has been prepared to provide guidance to exporters of developing countries – mainly from Africa – on accessing new and emerging country markets, such as China. It provides an initial overview of the Chinese market for organic products, as well as useful inputs for an initial proactive marketing strategy and preparation of the exporter’s sales visit. This report is one of a series of sectoral and market studies in BRICS (Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China, South Africa) countries.
 

The coffee sector has a huge potential to contribute to poverty alleviation in East Africa, but the sector’s development is hampered by a lack of savings and credit facilities. This publication aims to give an overview of the credit landscape relevant to women engaged in the production and processing of coffee.
It explains reasons for the limited microfinance coverage of women engaged in the sector, and provides suggestions to increase it. It also offers an easy overview of who-is-who in microfinance in East Africa with services targeted at women and the coffee sector.

While standards play an increasingly important role in international trade and global value chains, little is known about their actual impacts in these chains. By applying a systematic literature approach, this report aims to apply the key research findings to this question. Research in this area was found to focus on few standards, products and countries. In most cases the case studies do not allow for the identification of correlations between variables. A systematic analysis of value chain impacts across standards and products providing quantitative, statistically valid data is lacking. Data is not comprehensive enough to make standard or product specific conclusions. Finally, there is a focus on the production side of the value chain, despite claims made about examining the entire value chain.

This publication aims to guide exporters in developing countries—mainly in Africa—on how to access the newly emerging agri-food market in South Africa. South Africa imported US$ 325 million worth of fruits, vegetables and spices in 2009. The market has room for new exporters of counter-season fresh produce like citrus, avocados, grapes, bananas and watermelons from nearby countries. The paper highlights some of the critical issues to be considered when entering the South African market, issues that are especially relevant to African exporters. It also provides useful inputs to design an initial proactive marketing strategy and to prepare an exporter for his or her first sales visit to the market.

The sector for leather and leather products plays an important role in many of the poorest countries in Africa, and leather manufacturing can be a significant employment generator in a number of these countries. This publication uncovers market niche opportunities for African exporters of leather products including hides and skins. However, potential exporters must first improve the perception of the quality level of their products among South African importers, particularly in the industrial sector. This change in perception is essential to influencing the current patterns of sourcing in South Africa. This technical paper has been prepared to guide exporters in developing countries—mainly in Africa—on how to access the newly emerging market for leather and leather products in South Africa.