Uganda is set to host delegates from 187 countries in Kampala from October 2nd to 6th 2017 to discuss standards for fresh fruits and vegetables.
The development was communicated by Amelia Kyambadde, the minister of trade and industries, during a press briefing at Uganda Media Centre this morning.
According to Kyambadde, 2000 delegates are expected to participate in the 20th session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV) which will be hosted by the Government of Uganda together with the Government of Mexico. As the custodian of national standards, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is coordinating the meeting preparations.
“The forum will be an opportunity to showcase the fruits and vegetables we have in Uganda. Farmers need knowledge about the nature of fruits needed on the market. This is the type of information to be got” Kyambadde said.
The minister said Uganda has registered a reduction in the production of fruits and vegetables because of drought. “It was a big challenge Pests & diseases have been a challenge to fruit & vegetable farmers but we hope the meeting will come with solutions.”
Uganda exports fresh fruits and vegetables to the European Union (UK, German, Belgium and Netherlands), Middle East, USA and the East African Community (EAC) region. Statistics from Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) show that in 2015 Uganda exported 7,900 tonnes of fruits worth USD 3.2 million and 12,000 tonnes of vegetables worth USD 127 Million.
“Although trade in fresh fruits and vegetables has been growing steadily over the last five years, Ugandans have continued to face challenges penetrating the lucrative international markets due to non-compliance to international standard” said Kyambadde.
