Marketing support details

TitleSmall Producers in Export Horticulture: A Guide to Best Practice
AuthorNatural Resource Institute
Content LanguageEnglish (en)
Document Type
Date Of Publication2003
DescriptionThere is a view that small producers in developing countries may lack the necessary skills and education, and may be too scattered and disorganized, to be considered reliable suppliers of high quality horticultural produce to sophisticated export markets. "Small Producers in Export Horticulture: A Guide to Best Practice" has been prepared by the Natural Resource Institute to provide information on how smallholders and small and medium sized enterprises in developing countries can take advantage of market opportunities in the area of export horticulture. This includes information on procedures for delivering technical and organizational skills, financial resources and market information.

The guide (which is entirely online and is walked through by a series of links) has been primarily written for intermediaries - such as small enterprises which service and buy produce from the smallholders, commercial producers, non-government organizations and community-based organizations - who are working with or wishing to engage smallholders in the production of vegetables for export.

The guide is broken down into the following sections, each of which consist of a number of key sub-topics:

    Elements for successful business - covers the principal requirements that enable the relationship between smallholders, exporters and later links in the supply chain to function effectively Market linkages - sets out steps for establishing sustainable linkages between smallholders and the market, including the role that could be played by an independent intermediary Providing services to smallholders - outlines the services smallholders need and suggests ways of supplying them Agricultural and environmental practices - looks at the agronomic and environmental aspects involved in selecting horticultural commodities for smallholder production in more detail Quality assurance and human health and safety - considers the type and nature of hazard that can compromise food safety and human health, and describes the principles and practices of quality assurance for maintaining food safety throughout the supply chain Current and future trends - addresses current and anticipated trends in the export horticulture trade and makes suggestions on how businesses can respond to these trends, grasp opportunities they offer and avoid constraints they may bring
A selection of case studies on a number of the key areas is also available.

Series ID2003
Keywords EXPORT MARKETS,  HORTICULTURE,  MARKET LINKAGES
Resource