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02/04/08

Kenya: Arguments for Air-Freight Organics Put Forward

19/03/08

Bolivia: US Aid for Organic Onions Production

16/03/08

Brazil: Organic Snack Bars Going to the Middle-East

 

 

02/04/08

Kenya: Arguments for Air-Freight Organics Put Forward

The British Government and the airline industry have put up a strong defence for Kenya's agricultural produce to continue enjoying good prices in UK markets and branding as organic produce.

The threat had come from Soil Association, which certifies nearly 70% of organic produce sold in UK supermarkets. It had argued that transporting produce by air contributes to air pollution.

Kenya exports horticultural produce to Europe. The British Government and the airline industry support the airlifting of Kenya's agricultural produce to London.

The decision by the minister in charge of aviation, Mr Jim Fitzpatrick, and the airlines is a move against Soil Association, which has been championing the ban on products airlifted to the country on arguments that the planes polluted the environment.

New conditions
During a meeting organised by lobby group Flying Matters, the airline representatives supported Kenyan farmers and called for a review of restrictions by Soil Association.

Soil Association had proposed new conditions for farmers and wholesalers who want to continue to be certified as selling organic produce, saying that they would have to publish a plan for reducing their use of air freight, which they blame for pollution. In addition, the proceeds of the sale should be invested in education and improving the workers' welfare.

Mr Fitzpatrick said there should be a balance between the welfare of the people and environmental matters.

Flying Matters executive director Michelle Di Leo said airlifting produce to London was not necessarily the cause of major pollution because other modes of transport also emitted carbon in the air.

She said: "The people producing these perishable goods have one of the lowest carbon footprints. The very people they (association) want to save from climate change will be the ones who will lose their source of income."

Kenya's high commissioner to London Joseph Muchemi said the country did not support the Soil Association's desire to include airfreight as part of its standard.

Carbon efficient
"Our produce is grown using compost manure and current studies indicate even with airfreight, organic products from Kenya are still more carbon efficient compared to those grown in Europe," Mr Muchemi said during the meeting at Whitehall.

Fearing that the new measures by the association could affect their income from cargo, the airlines, through Mr Brian Wilson of Civil Aeronautics and Emirates' Andrew Parker, said they had adopted sustainable measures to improve aircraft so that they do not pollute the environment.

This has been done by manufacturing planes with more efficient engines which consume less fuel, thereby emitting less carbon in the air.

Mr Wilson argued that aeroplane manufacturers were also concerned about pollution and were working to reduce it, adding that pollution was much less nowadays than it was before with the advanced manufacturing technology.


Sou
rce: Africa News

 

19/03/08

Bolivia: US Aid for Organic Onions Production

More than 150 tons of organic sweet onions are giving some Bolivian farmers a US $340,000 harvest. The recent bountiful shipment to Los Angeles marked a three-year U.S. Agency for International Development effort to make Bolivian onion growers international competitors.

The onions are cultivated more than 12,000 feet above sea level on land once considered unsuitable for traditional agriculture, says USAID's Jorge Calvo, the program's manager who views the high elevation as an advantage. The onions, along with a dozen other crops, are part of a USAID training program to improve Bolivian agriculture.

Because the rarified atmosphere prevents pests and crop diseases from thriving, the onions are grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides, earning a coveted organic label. Organic sweet onions are in big demand and command higher prices, he says.

The agricultural program strives to make farmers prosperous by matching niche crops such as chili peppers, grapes, peanuts, peaches, raspberries, garlic and fava beans to Bolivia's diverse topography and climate. Growers also apply the latest farming methods such as soil management, irrigation and mechanization in achieving year-round harvests, says Calvo.

So far, it's working. The agency's $20 million investment in 2002 has generated more than $40 million in family earnings, boosting per capita income for the 40,000 participating households by almost 50 percent in a country where the average family exists on just $4,400 per year.

"We sit down with them, we work with them," says Calvo, describing USAID's personal approach in carrying out the program. "The farmers have been open to this."

For more information about USAID and its programs in Bolivia, visit www.usaid.gov

   

Source: M2 Presswire

 

 

16/03/08

Brazil: Organic Snack Bars Going to the Middle-East

Organic cereal bar maker Renk's Industrial, headquartered in São Paulo, is targeting the Arab market. "Our main contacts are in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. We are still examining the market there, but we know that there is a great potential for our products in the region," quoted Leandro Farkuh, commercial director at the company.

The products are marketed under the umbrella brand BioBrasilProducts. Others include BioSanck, composed of fruit snacks and Brazilian nuts; eBar Organic, Brazilian fruit bars; BioPalm, an assai bar; and BiO2, a cereal bar with Brazilian fruit.

"Brand BioBrasilProducts was created to be a reference in organic food in Brazil and worldwide," stated Farkuh. Exports already represent 50% of Renk's revenues. The company is certified by Ecocert.

Cereal bar eBar Organic is the main product sold by the company and the main destination markets are the United States, England, France, Germany and Mexico. The eBar products are packaged using ecological material. "The line is a pioneer in the use of biodegradable film in food packages and all the boxes are made out of recycled paper," explained the director.

 Another product that promises to make success on the foreign market is line eNergy, based on the high level of energy extracted from the fruit. This organic line is based on assai, cupuassu, Barbados cherry and guarana in all flavours. These flavours mixed with a fruit of dominant taste create the differentiated bars.

According to Farkuh, the Brazilian origin of the products is evident in the use of exotic fruit and nuts with low concentrations of calories. "The bars are natural or organic and receive no chemicals or sugar," pointed out the director.

Related Report: #7002-40 The Global Market for Organic Food & Drink

Source: Info-Prod Research (Middle East)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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