OVERVIEW
Egypt is now the worst affected country on the African continent, ahead of South Africa, Morocco and Algeria. Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Togo are about to launch clinical trials. 50 million people in West African countries could be affected by food problems, according to a 21 April announcement by eight local and international organisations. The issues include difficult access to food markets due to confinement or curfews, the beginning of price increases, and limited availability of some basic products due to border closures. Ibrahima Coulibaly, President of ROPPA, said: “We hope that political decision-makers and citizens will become more aware of the need to encourage local production and consumption, which has even more meaning and importance today.” The eight signatories are Action Against Hunger; Association for the Promotion of Livestock in the Sahel and Savannah (APESS); Care; Oxfam; Billital Maroobé Network (RBM); Network of Farmers’ and Producers’ Organizations of West Africa (ROPPA); Solidarités International; and Save the Children.
BENIN
Markets are no longer frequented in the containment areas and there are supply difficulties due to the closure of borders. One of the consequences is the appearance of certain speculative behaviour. However, it should be noted that production is showing surplus rates capable of maintaining food security stocks (maize, cassava, yam).
BOTSWANA
Botswana has put in place relief measures for business, and has imposed stiff measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, such as restrictions on travel and people movement. The country has also imposed restrictions on transport of raw materials. Importing and exporting companies in Botswana are required to consult the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC). To reduce the impact, Botswana has established a COVID-19 relief fund, which provides financial resources to cater for the procurement of national relief supplies and national publicity outreach programmes. The fund also covers relief for selected industries, public counselling centres, additional staff to support health professionals, and an economic stimulus package post-pandemic. In the medium term, Botswana is also looking to upscale production of horticultural produce, promote market centres for agricultural produce, and enable the National Agro-processing Plant (NAPRO) to absorb all excess production of vegetables.
BURKINA FASO
Since 26 March, 36 markets have been closed. At the beginning of this week it was announced that the central market in Ouagadougou would reopen. This reopening was preceded by activities to raise awareness among traders and customers of the markets on respecting barrier gestures. It is envisaged that the decision to reopen will gradually extend to other markets if barrier measures are respected.
Nearly 780,000 people have been displaced in the interior of the country as a result of climatic hazards and insecurity. Currently, 1.5 million people are in a situation of food vulnerability, but this number could rise to over 2 million with the arrival of the lean season. The closure of borders is causing a supply deficit of more than 700,000 tonnes of rice and wheat, as well as 1.5 million tonnes of cereals. Food aid is planned, and the creation of 150 points of sale at subsidised prices for the supply of 25,000 tonnes of cereals, and the sale at social prices of 4,796 tonnes of cereals.
CABO VERDE
COVID-19 is having an impact on the country’s economy, particularly through tourism, which contributes to 22% of the national GDP. The country is in a state of emergency and transport between the islands is stopped. Markets are also affected, as the country imports 80% of its staple foods, causing price increases. In addition, the country is entering its third year of drought and the authorities are implementing measures to desalinate drinking and agricultural water. Production is affected by armyworm and locusts, decreasing the contribution of agriculture from 8% to 3% of the country’s GDP.
CAMEROON
In 2020 the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER) will make available to the country’s farmers 1.4 million certified cassava cuttings and 1,649 tonnes of high-quality maize seed, aiming to minimise the risk of food shortages in the country. Short-cycle production will be supported so that the local market can be regularly supplied. It is also envisaged to make 1.5 million plantain seedlings available to Cameroonian producers during the 2020 agricultural season, even if this represents only 10% of real needs. To facilitate compliance with barrier measures, Cameroon’s Single Window for Foreign Trade (Guichet unique du commerce extérieur GUCE) is stepping up the digitalisation of its procedures and operating electronic payment for customs duties and taxes.
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE
There has been a 20-day extension of the state of health emergency that began on 31 March. Six of Congo’s 12 departments are affected by the pandemic, with Brazzaville remaining the epicentre of the disease in the country.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
The global pandemic has resulted in a halt to hydro-agricultural and agricultural development projects. Agricultural production has fallen by 15 to 20%. The closure of borders is impacting the food security of the country and its neighbouring countries. The Ministry of Agriculture is urgently launching a process of acquiring and distributing agricultural input kits, providing technical support to producers, and supervising the harvesting of agricultural products, along with a supply plan for Abidjan. On 14 April, the Ministry of Agriculture presented the modalities for the agricultural support plan of FCFA 300 billion (€456.8 million), of which FCFA 250 billion is for cash crops and 50 billion for food crops, vegetable and fruit crops, announced on 31 March. For the food-producing sector, this includes urgent measures (acquisition and distribution of agricultural kits to producer groups, identification of suitable production sites and supervision of all producers) and post-COVID-19 measures (development of production sites not covered by the urgent measures, construction of storage infrastructure and establishment of a national food reserve, extension of ploughing and mechanised harvesting) applicable between April and June 2020.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
An extension of the state of emergency, which is due to expire this week, is being considered by Parliament, which is due to vote on 23 April. However, the lockdown since 4 April of the Gombe district of Kinshasa, the seat of government and major embassies, has just been lifted and the inhabitants are now virtually free to move about freely. Banks and supermarkets have reopened.
GABON
The capital Libreville and three bordering communes must respect containment, and the obligation to wear masks has been introduced in public places. A massive screening campaign is beginning in Gabon. Two hundred thousand tests have been imported by Gabon.
GAMBIA
The combination of drought and COVID-19 is plunging 82,000 people into a food crisis. This number could rise to 137,000 if no action is taken. To avoid this situation, the delivery of agricultural inputs and access to assistance and extension facilities are needed.
GHANA
The decision has been taken to end the confinement of Accra and Kumasi, with the reopening of all shops and authorisation to resume business activity. However, public gatherings are banned, schools remain closed, and the country’s borders remain closed. The wearing of masks and the application of social distancing rules are requested. The Government states that it is in a position to control the pandemic.
MAURITIUS
Mauritius is implementing strong measures including a national lockdown and curfew order, and is cited (BBC) as one of the countries with the most stringent lockdown measures in place. As online shopping and home delivery of foodstuffs are growing, the public and food suppliers are being urged to exercise much caution in terms of washing of hands in preparation and handling of food, social distancing and use of masks.
NAMIBIA
With regard to COVID-19, movement of people in Namibia is restricted as the country is under lockdown. Currently, the market is slow as most institutions are closed, which has seen demand for several products and services go down. Namibia’s Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency is not importing, but is looking at the fruit and fresh produce price lists for post COVID-19 consideration.
NIGER
Niamey is isolated from the rest of the country to limit the spread of the coronavirus, and a curfew has been imposed between 7pm and 6am. Residents have demonstrated against the containment measures. The measures should end this week.
SENEGAL
The authorities are concerned about the major consequences of the crisis on the food and nutritional security of the most vulnerable populations. In addition, there is a real risk of an invasion of armyworms and locusts. At the level of ECOWAS, it is requested to review the food policy of States by facilitating access to inputs, developing food and cereal crops (millet, maize, rice, cowpea) and reducing any dependence on imports. Senegal wishes to increase food production to 4 million tonnes as of next winter. In Casamance, the closure of land borders and the ban on travel between regions prevent the marketing of horticultural products between the north and south of the country.
SIERRA LEONE
The country is experiencing a production deficit of 500,000 tonnes of rice and a significant increase in food prices. The country has to cope with the epidemic while 4.6% of the population are food insecure.
SOUTH AFRICA
Containment measures are being strengthened in the port city of Durban and its province, KwaZulu-Natal. This province is one of the epicentres of the coronavirus epidemic in South Africa. Health workers are particularly affected, causing the temporary closure of three hospitals in Durban.
ZAMBIA
Regarding the economy, activities in tourism, mining, manufacturing, construction as well as wholesale and retail trade sectors projected will slow down due to the consequences of the pandemic situation. Given the lockdown announced by South Africa, imports from that country are expected to decline in Zambia, with direct adverse impact on wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing and mining. But the Zambia could import from Zimbabwe the essential products feeding into COVID-19 response activities.
ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe’s national lockdown has been extended by another 14 days to 3 May, but the Government is taking steps to restart the economy by allowing the mining and manufacturing sectors to reopen under rules set by the World Health Organization and public health authorities (The Herald). The city of Mutare has decentralised the operations of the giant Sakubva wholesale market to other high-density areas as a measure to decongest the area and help curb the spread of Covid-19.
Sources: Radio France International; CommodAfrica; The Sunday Mail (19 April); Médiafel (22 April).
Through an online survey, COLEACP has been asking what support is most urgently needed by the ACP fruit and vegetable sector during the current crisis. Preliminary results from 87 contributors are analysed below.
Respondents were asked to prioritise the three most urgent areas where support is needed. Access to finance was clearly regarded as the most urgent area (77.0% of respondents placed this in their top three issues), followed by hygiene and food safety practices (69.0%). Support for storage/processing, logistics solutions, diversifying markets, and crisis management were all regarded as among the most urgent areas.
Finance
Finding solutions for access to finance was important to the majority of survey respondents (92.0%). The same number felt it will be important to disseminate testimonials to raise awareness among the general public and decision-makers about the risks facing the sector in terms of job losses and reduced income for producers (however, when asked to prioritise, only 5.7% placed this in their top three).
Good hygiene and food safety practices
Asked about information on good hygiene and food safety practices in relation to the coronavirus, almost all respondents (96.6%) wanted dissemination of this information. Almost equal numbers wanted a simple handout to print and distribute (e.g. within the company or packhouses) (88.5%); an information session to deliver to employees and workers (online, written materials, etc.) (88.5%); and an information session to deliver to outgrowers (87.4%). Giving more detail on the types of information and training materials, respondents suggested “A simple handout that can be printed and distributed on signs and symptoms, how it is caught and how to protect yourself, and procedure if one has it, what to do, what manager should tell the workers”; and “There is a need for lots of pictograms on hygiene issues”. Illustrative videos of how to protect yourself against COVID-19 were also suggested. Regarding the delivery of information, suggestions included training on the use of e-learning tools; and the ability to use COLEACP e-learning on android phones to reach producers without internet access. Longer-term views on health and safety included “Strengthening the capacity of the plant’s HSE department in terms of workforce and skills”, and “We need to promote home garden and online means to deliver goods”. Respondents also mentioned specific practical equipment that is difficult to access: PPE and disinfectant for workers and outgrowers; infra-red thermometers for daily temperature checking; masks, gloves, sanitising gel and dispensers; and also computer equipment to print out handouts for workers.
Logistics
On getting produce to markets, most respondents (81.6%) were interested in information on local transportation. Very similar numbers wanted logistics solutions for air freight (59.8%) and sea freight (57.5%).
Management
Asked about advice on crisis management, the vast majority of respondents wanted advice on crisis communication (92.0%). Financial management and human resources management were also important to most respondents (87.4% for both). In addition, respondents suggested (among others) advice on environmental management; help to become organically certified as organic foods are perceived to be healthier and boost immunity; assistance with spot marketing to enable distribution of supplies; and help in searching for better markets. Other requests included assistance in setting up an outgrower system for easy management, tracking and monitoring; contingency planning; management of new agricultural techniques; and reorganising workspaces taking into account the COVID-19 recommended arrangements. Stress management, and motivation of trainers, sensitisers, supervisors and extension workers, were also raised.
Storage/processing
Asked about support to improve storage/processing of fresh produce, respondents focused mainly on mangoes, pineapples, leafy vegetables and salad vegetables such as tomatoes, herbs and spices (turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, moringa), in addition to a wide range of fruits and vegetables.
On the question of what equipment is urgently needed to improve storage/processing of fresh produce, the majority of respondents focused on refrigeration equipment (cold storage rooms, pre cooling and cold transport, mobile cold stores, refrigerated trucks, etc.), and curing and drying equipment (especially solar driers) and related solar panels and generators. Aluminium bags for herbs and spices were also requested, as was smoking equipment. Other items noted included the need to expand seedling production; seeds, plant protection products and fertilisers; control of alteration indices (water content, organoleptic, vitamins) with portable devices; and modern juice and wine production equipment.
Reflecting a range of different types and sizes of businesses, respondents’ estimates of the immediate investment need to improve storage/processing varied. The majority (35.8%) suggested they would need investment of €10,000–50,000; 11.9% were in the €50,000–100,000 bracket; and 26.9% over €100,000. 25.4% felt that an investment of under €10,000 would be helpful to them.
88.5% of respondents would be interested in support to diversify markets, particularly at the local level.
Other suggestions
Respondents were also asked about additional actions that should be taken. Many reiterated that they needed help with staff health and safety. Many suggestions also focused on identifying alternative or additional markets, particularly local and regional markets – “provide information on the fruit needs of neighbouring countries and potential customers” – and on the wider needs that are likely to arise in the near future:
“In view of the foreseeable world food crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is appropriate for States and multilateral partners to invest in the improvement of agricultural techniques in order to increase yields.”
“Now produce enough fruit and vegetables to fight hunger. So that the local, regional and European market is always supplied with fresh fruit and vegetables.”
“Inform on the opportunities that could arise from this crisis for producers and exporters.”
AFRICA
In Cameroon, stakeholders in the pineapple sector taking part in a RHORTICAM/COLEACP workshop spoke about their experiences in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been border closures and passenger flight stoppages, and a drastic reduction of available space for pineapples, down from around 64 tonnes per day (6-7 days a week) to 8 tonnes per day (3–5 days a week). Costs are raised by the “Covid tax” (€0.19/kg) – carriers charge a higher return freight due to the difficulty of finding goods on the way down (north-south) – but the EU purchase price has not increased much. Voluntary containment is having an impact on production because of the impact on the available workforce day to day. Ethiopian offered to transport but their freight prices are very high. Non-exported pineapples are flooding the local market as there is no real processing industry yet (and almost no profitability). The Projet de Développement des Chaînes de Valeurs Agricoles (Agricultural Value Chain Development Project, PDCVA) is exploring developing processing units.
An agricultural producer and exporter in Senegal reports that inter-regional travel has been banned in the country, and customers from Dakar who used to buy their products directly from the farm can no longer go there. Demand is falling sharply following the closure of certain markets. The kg of peppers that used to sell for 800 to 1000 FCFA are now selling for 200 FCFA. The DATS are trying to maintain their activity in spite of this. Their main objective is to maintain jobs. If jobs cannot be secured, the staff is put out of work. The company is doing its best not to lay off its employees, and will rely heavily on the 2 billion FCFA aid promised by the government for companies that have secured jobs for their employees.
The mango campaign in Côte d’Ivoire, which opened two weeks ago, is starting alarmingly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, like other producing countries in the region (CommodAfrica). Operators are registering suspensions and cancellations of export contracts to European countries, and one estimate of losses for the 2020 campaign due to COVID-19 is as high as 65%. However, a COLEACP member reports that the government has put in place measures to help companies according to the losses they might incur.
According to the testimony of one of our members in Madagascar, the production structures that continue to produce and export, particularly by sea, have been authorised to continue their activities as long as the hygiene barrier measures are strictly applied in order to protect the personnel.
A COLEACP member in Togo reports that strict barrier measures have been imposed, including a ban until further notice on events involving more than 15 people, a distance of at least 1 m between individuals, the wearing of masks, etc. Activities on the ground are much slower than in ordinary times, groups of workers have to be limited; physical contact has to be avoided; and permits are required before moving from one town to another, as some towns are isolated because of the seriousness or risk of the health situation there.
In Guinea, the border with Liberia is closed and avocado producers in Lola Prefecture will have to market their produce on the local market. But local consumption is very low, and it is difficult to keep the avocados. Liberian buyers regularly buy three to four trucks of avocados.
The Ugandan Fruit and Vegetables Exporters and Producers Association (UFVEPA) says that the lockdown has been extended by 21 days until 5 May. However, the good news is that exports of fruits and vegetables have not stopped despite several challenges. The internal logistics for farms in the different export villages and packhouses where fresh produce is sorted, cleaned and packed have been challenging, coupled with ensuring that workers are safe and are not exposed to the virus. Many airlines have had to stop because of the closure of the airport, only cargo flights are allowed, and their rates are very high.
A Malian exporter reports that their export orders for mango are confirmed, and there are no transport blockages for the moment. On the Senegal side it is a little more complicated given the traffic constraints. Currently maintaining a programme by road for 1 to 2 trucks per week, however the drop in traffic with Morocco may affect the availability of trucks. Concerning vegetables, the programme is continuing as planned, but the company is also planning to diversify for the post-winter season, and has recruited a person in charge to follow up this activity.
Zimbabwe’s national trade development and promotion organisation, ZimTrade, reports that the impact on global trade is having negative ramifications on the country’s trade performance. Both imports and exports have been affected, with the imports affecting the production side of value chains. Freight and cargo movements are also not spared as some cargo planes have also grounded their operations. ZimTrade’s scheduled training for organic certification and other capacity-building training have been affected. Interface with clients and promotional events are also being affected.
REGIONAL MARKETS – A POTENTIAL “SOFT LANDING” FOR EXPORTERS
As the coronavirus pandemic develops, restrictions on movement of people and cargo are making it difficult for local exporters, particularly small businesses, to continue supplying products and services outside their country. The pandemic has disrupted international trade in terms of volumes and commodity prices, and will result in significant negative impacts on SMEs.
However, as Allan Majuru points out in Zimbabwe’s Sunday Mail (19 April), Africa’s regional markets may be easier to access and can cushion local companies. Most countries in the region have remained open to trade, although with an emphasis on strategic products.
The Sunday Mail looks at the strategic markets that should be relatively easy for Zimbabwean companies to supply: Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.
For Zambia, food supplies into the retail sector are being given priority at border entry points (along with essential health supplies), as the absence of South African products due to South Africa’s lockdown has created a gap.
The retail sector in Botswana is largely dominated by South African brands and the lockdown in South Africa will also impact supplies. However, Botswana has introduced restrictions on movement of travel and people to suppress the spread of the virus, and imposed restrictions on passage of raw materials. Importing companies in Botswana are required to consult the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre to understand the raw materials they can import. In the medium term, Botswana is looking to upscale its horticultural production, promote market centres for agricultural produce, and enable its National Agro-Processing Plant to absorb all excess production of vegetables. These activities will open opportunities for Zimbabwean players in the agriculture supply chain, particularly suppliers of seeds.
Namibia also offers a strategic regional market that local producers are yet to fully exploit. The good relations between Harare and Windhoek have made it easy to trade, and local businesses can take advantage of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Agreement and the Zimbabwe–Namibia Preferential Trade Agreement, which offers preferential treatment of qualifying products to increase exports to the country. With regard to COVID-19, movement of people in Namibia is restricted as the country is currently under lockdown. Currently, the market is slow as most institutions are closed, which has seen demand for several products and services go down. However, the fast-moving consumer goods sector is one area that local businesses could target once the lockdown has ended. Currently, Namibia’s Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency is not importing, but is looking at the fruit and fresh produce price lists for post COVID-19 considerations.
See the full report here.
CARIBBEAN
ECTAD Caribbean (Eastern Caribbean Trading Agriculture and Development Organisation) points out that, as if COVID-19 is not enough, over the past 8 weeks most of the Caribbean has been going through a drought that is affecting production. Added to this is the fear that some businesses may close operations or be very slow in payments. It is likely that the full impact of the global pandemic has yet to hit the Caribbean. The uncertainty of distribution channels has left farmers without an income and customers without access to products. ECTAD is prioritising safety and protection - with the average age of our farmers being 50+. Support will be needed for safety and protective gear for farmers; and for supplies of planting materials, seeds, fertilisers, organic manure, tools and equipment, marketing equipment and materials. ECTAD is also looking at marketing buffer fund support to help with payments to farmers, especially for the overseas markets which take many weeks for payment. Despite the challenges, and following safety measures and with the help of partners and supporters, ECTAD is planning to restart its small farmers marketing programme within a few weeks, targeting local, regional and exports overseas.
IMPACT ON AFRICAN DIASPORA AGROFOOD ENTREPRENEURS
On 17 April The Food Bridge hosted an online discussion via Zoom on the impact of COVID-19 on African diaspora agrofood entrepreneurs. For African diaspora agrofood entrepreneurs, the impact of the crisis is stronger because most of the projects are self-financed. Many entrepreneurs are still paying staff even when they have no income from their agrofood projects. For these entrepreneurs, it is not just about business, but about supporting their communities. Some also have loans and grants that they are paying back, but with no sales, this brings an added challenge.
African diaspora entrepreneurs are also anticipating more challenges post COVID-19 because they do not envisage support from European or African governments, or access to any subsidies. Access to markets for African diaspora agrofood entrepreneurs, and also the small holder farmers they support, is also jeopardised, leaving them with unsold produce. There is a need for green energy to enable entrepreneurs to preserve their produce.
The Food Bridge is working on an online platform for African diaspora agrofood entrepreneurs, enabling contacts and a means of having a united voice on relevant issues affecting the sector.
The Food Bridge will follow up with online seminars and workshops every month, including a collaboration with COLEACP.
EUROPE – SOME EASING OF LOCKDOWNS
Since 13 April, several European countries have announced that they are preparing to ease their lockdown restrictions in the coming days. Spain and Italy have restarted some industries, and Germany is considering opening schools; its shops and restaurants are allowed to re-open if social distancing measures are observed (FPC). In France, the lockdown restrictions have been extended up to 11 May. Several other European countries, including Austria, Denmark and the Czech Republic, are also set to loosen their lockdowns.
FRANCE
According to a study by French consumers’ group UFC-Que Choisir, fruit and vegetable prices rose 9% between the weeks 2–9 March and 6–11 April. The increase is as high as 12% for organic products.
The consumption of organic products has been rising sharply since mid-March 2020. Purchases from traditional specialist retailers are increasing due to their good territorial coverage and consumers’ choice of local outlets. Sales of organic fruit and vegetables are growing because consumers want healthy products (Fructidor). MODEF (Mouvement pour la Défense de L’Exploitation Familial; Movement for Family Farmers) says that 55% of fruit and vegetable needs are currently produced in France (Médiafel). It adds that a shortage of many products, particularly fruit and vegetables, is already noticeable after five weeks of confinement.
Exports of off-season French melons from Guadeloupe and Martinique are being heavily impacted by the Government’s decision to limit passenger flights to combat the virus. The production and marketing period to the European market normally runs from late January to May, with a peak in April/early May. Expected volumes were about 3,250 tonnes.
ITALY
According to a study by AssoBio in collaboration with Nielsen (Fructidor), sales of fresh fruit and vegetables have increased by just over 18% compared to March 2019. Organic fruit and vegetables show a growth of nearly 25% – containment has favoured this development as consumers are more careful with their diet.
DEMAND FOR AVOCADOES MOSTLY HOLDS FIRM
An overview of the global avocado market (Fresh Plaza, 17 April) indicates that despite restrictions on movement and lockdowns, demand for avocados has not dropped. In the Netherlands, the coronavirus crisis seems to be driving up demand for avocados, together with citrus and summer fruits. In Belgium prices are currently at a normal level for the time of year. However, the market in Germany is quiet, and there are concerns about the supply to French supermarkets due to logistical problems. In Spain, high demand will cause the season to end early. And a major wholesaler in Northern Italy says that demand remains stable despite the coronavirus.
South Africa produced larger volumes this year, and is a formidable competitor for Peru in Europe.
AIR FREIGHT
The rush to transport medical supplies from China has saturated all cargo airfreight, and is seen as the only opportunity for commercial airlines to make some income in this terrible crisis that is having unprecedented impact on the airline and travel industry. That is why many airlines have changed their passenger airplanes to cargo. Most airlines are using cabin space to stock goods, some of them using covered seats following regulations; other airlines have removed the seats to gain more volume. Boeing has determined that their approval is not necessary to modify the aircrafts, they are good to go with local approval issued by the local authorities. Many airlines have already started the transformation of a part of their fleet: Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways have increased the number of transformed passenger carriers.
The main problem remains the cost of the transport. Demand for airfreight has increased so much that prices of €10–12 per kg have been reported, so airlines prefer to connect China with Europe and the USA, rather than transporting horticultural products from Africa to Europe where cargo usually costs around €1.20 per kg. The high demand for medical equipment is not going to be over soon, as many warehouses full of medical supplies are waiting to be shipped from Chinese cities.
In Cameroon, the capacity for pineapples have been considerably reduced from 67 tonnes per day 6 or 7 days a week to 8 tonnes 3 to 5 times a week. Also, a COVID tax has been introduced at €0.19 per kg of perishables. Bolloré Logistics proposed an alternative to bring cargo from Cameroon to Brussels at €1.60 per kg with Royal Air Maroc, and they currently have enough space to cover demand for 40 tonnes a week, however this price might not be suitable to carry pineapples as the price of this fruit has not increased accordingly in the EU market.
From Ghana, the situation is critical. All cargo is centralised, mainly by Air Ghana, and their current offer is not enough to export all production, having at least a deficit of 160 tonnes per week. In addition, booking is not respected, which has increased production losses of products ready to be exported.
In Côte d’Ivoire, freight has increased from €1.45/kg to €1.85/kg. For the moment our partners have reported a deficit of 10 tonnes a week.
In Madagascar, Air France has so far provided one cargo flight per week passing through Reunion Island. But the waiting time is too long, making it impossible to store products in Madagascar before the flight, so shipping fresh vegetables has not been possible yet. The offer of production for export has reduced, with at this point no alternative to export.
The offer of airfreight from Nairobi is currently increasing: the flower trade has significantly reduced exports due to a drop in demand (around 70%) and currently adapted passenger aircrafts from Kenya Airways, Ethiopian and KLM are attending Kenya exports. According to Edward Mureu, proprietor of Naivasha-based Rubi ranch, exports of fresh produce had dropped sharply due to the current pandemic, where getting cargo flights has been a major challenge (The Star, 20 April). “The export of fresh produce has dropped by around 70 per cent and this is due to a drop in demand in Europe due to the lockdown and high flight charges,” he said. KQ is, however, said to be expensive compared to competitors, a move that could affect exports. “Kenya Airways is charging three dollars per kilo unlike the competitors like Ethiopian and Qatar airways who are charging two dollars,” he said.
In a statement released by the Dutch embassy in Nairobi on 20 April (Kenyans.co.ke), the Netherlands expressed its desire to maintain strong trade links with Kenya. Consequently, Kenya and the Netherlands have agreed to two flights a week to foster economic ties amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Starting Tuesday, April 21, and Sunday, April 26, Air France KLM Martinair, Cargo will operate two weekly cargo flights bringing 45-50 tons of cargo from Nairobi to Amsterdam,” The statement read in part. “For this purpose, KLM Boeing 777-300 passenger aircraft will be used with ample belly capacity. This comes in addition to the existing full freighter flights Air France KLM Martinair is regularly operating.”
Kenya Airways has transformed at least four aircraft into cargo.
Ethiopian has expanded its cargo fleet of 12 full cargo aircraft with an additional 10 to 15 passenger aircraft adapted for cargo. Although it seems that there is a big problem of stuck cargo on their hub of Addis Ababa which may complicate logistics, if using this operator be aware that there may be delays.
Rwandair has been operating cargo flights only to Brussels and London at least once a week using its A330 jets from Kigali.
Finally, many cargo flights are planned only 2 or 3 days before, which complicates logistics for perishables as it becomes very difficult to predict some flights.
INFORMATION FOR INDIVIDUAL AIRLINES AND SERVICES
For full schedules for Air France KLM Martinair Cargo; Lufthansa, Quatar Airways; Emirates; and DHL, download the file here.
Air France KLM Martinair Cargo
Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is significantly reducing its offer from week 18 to week 19, taking out of their planning some cities like: Luanda, Niamey and Pointe Noire, however some destinations are included like Libreville, and KLM is introducing a passenger flight twice a week to Nairobi in addition to their full cargo flights with Martinair and Air France.
Quatar Airways
Quatar Airways offer has not change, it is still offering freight service via Qatar from the following cities in Africa: Entebbe (Uganda), Nairobi (Kenya) and Djibouti (Djibouti) with a wide range of cities in Europe, including Brussels, Liege, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Amsterdam, Prague and London. Although prices have increased in some cases up to 300%.
Emirates
Emirates offer has not changed from last week from Nairobi (Kenya), Entebbe (Uganda) and Khartoum (Sudan). Flights are via Dubai with connections with major airports in Europe including Brussels, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, London, Madrid, Zurich, Milan, Vienna and Maastricht. A 15% increase in freight rates has been reported.
Kenya Airways
Changed 4 aircrafts into cargo, connecting Nairobi to Europe, however prices have been reported at 3 euros per kg.
DHL
Regarding Cameroon, DHL maintains an air freight offer, but changed the aircraft and put a small plane on Brussels – 8T of capacity per plane (instead of 13T), and 5 days out of 7 (instead of 6/7).
Temporary suspension of DHL services remains to the following destinations: Cuba, India, Guinea Bissau, Mauritius, Mayotte, São Tomé and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, St Eustatius and Timor Leste. The remaining destinations are still served, but with extended delivery times that can be up to 7 additional business days for Sudan, Zambia or Zimbawe. Also from 1 April there will be an emergency situation surcharge (fixed charge per shipment) as follows:
CHARGEABLE WEIGHT (KG) CHARGE Up to 2.5 No charge 2.51–30 €2.50 30.1–70 €15 70.1–300 €50 >300.1 €200
Ethiopian Cargo
Ethiopian Cargo is currently making changes in its passenger airplanes in order to transform some of them to cargo and increase its service capacity. However, cargo prices have risen considerably. A problem of surcharge with more than 5000 tonnes in their hub at Addis Ababa have been reported which may cause big delays. If you are using this carrier to transport perishables, make sure they can assure transport to destination.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa has updated its service from Africa and will start servicing Senegal from 18 April, the schedule has been updated, please check the Excel file for flight planning. However, the schedule will depend on the measures Belgium takes on containment, that will determine the opening of Brussels Airlines on 15 May. Note that some Brussels Airlines flights have been registered in the past 24 hours from Ghana and Cameroon, so it is advisable to maintain contact with the airline to see if they are offering cargo services.
FedEx
FedEx and TNT have temporarily suspended all services to and from all African countries. Detailed information is available here.
FLIGHT OPERATIONS BY COUNTRY
(Source: based on Bolloré Logistics report, 23 April)
Algeria Since 19/03/2020, all passengers’ flights to and from Europe are suspended. Freighter flights are operating with minimum services.
Angola Air Freight: Since 20/03/2020, all domestics and international flights have been suspended. Charters are being organized in order to allow evacuation of residents. Restriction policies implemented in both Congo and Angola impact corridor PNR/CAB’s capacity to operate. The usual regular freighter LGG/ LAD is still operating, and a contingency pan has been set through 2 freighters/week ex LSB to LAD (provisional schedule). Besides, to face the corridor situation, alternative solutions are currently being discussed. Shipping to LAD also remains an additional option which involves necessary short sea LAD/CAB.
Benin All flights have been suspended since March 20th, and all airlines stopped their services except for Air France AF (which operates 1 passengers flight + 1 cargo freighter / week) and Ethiopian ET (which operates 1 passengers flight/ week).
Botswana No inbound or outbound cargo and no bookings accepted by the airlines. Trucking to Johannesburg JNB. Charter flights ex JNB possible for essential goods.
Burkina Faso Air freight: All passenger flights have been suspended, putting more constraint on capacity. Cargo flights are still operating.
Burundi All passenger flights have been suspended – measure extended until further notice. Cargo flights, sanitary evacuation, humanitarian aid and diplomatic flights are not concerned by this government measure and are still operating for some origin / destinations.
Cameroon All international passenger flights have been suspended, putting more constraint on the capacity. A contingency plan has been set up through the Cargo Magma option available on day 4 via Paris CDG hub. There is the possibility to use Royal Air Maroc at 1.60 per kg. DHL changed the aircraft and put a small plane on Brussels - 8T of capacity per plane (instead of 13T), and 5 days out of 7 (instead of 6/7).
Central African Republic All passenger flights have been suspended, putting more constraint on the capacity. Cargo flights are still operated by DHL. A contingency plan has been implemented through the Block Space Agreement BSA cargo option with Allied on Day 3.
Chad Air freight: All passenger flights have been suspended until 25 April, putting more constraint on capacity. Cargo flights are still operated by DHL.
Congo Air freight: From 20 March, all passenger flights from exposed countries have been suspended, putting more constraint on capacity. Cargo flights are still operated by Allied, Magma and DHL. A contingency plan has been set up through the BSA cargo option on Allied available on day 1 via CDG hub.
Côte d’Ivoire Air freight: all passenger flights have been suspended since 22 March. Cargo is still going on, but no plane except DHL.
Djibouti Air freight: All passenger flights have been suspended. Cargo flights are still operational.
Democratic Republic of the Congo - East Air freight: All flights have been suspended effective 20 March. Cargo flights are still operational.
Democratic Republic of the Congo - West Air freight: All passenger flights have been suspended, putting more constraint on capacity. Cargo flights are still operated by DHL, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines.
Democratic Republic of the Congo - South Air freight: All passenger flights have been suspended. Cargo flights are still operating.
Equatorial Guinea Air freight: All passenger flights have been suspended, putting more constraint on capacity. Cargo flights are still operated by DHL Cargo (two flights/week) and and Ethiopian ET (1flight/ week).
Ethiopia Ethiopian airlines has suspended passengers’ flights for 80 destinations. ET cargo flights still operating but cargo capacity reduced due to flight cancellations. No cargo flights on Lufthansa and Emirates.
Gabon Air freight: All passenger national and international flights have been suspended except for flights organized occasionally by the French Embassy, putting more constraint on capacity. Cargo flights are still operated by DHL Cargo and Express via Accra, Allied, Stabo and Ethiopian Airlines. Cargo option Libreville LBV via DHL Day 7, via CDG (Paris) Hub, Port-Gentil (POG) with European Air Transport (QY) block space agreement (BSA) Day 2. Any shipment to Libreville must be subject to mandatory agreement from Bolloré Transport & Logistics minimum 3 days prior loading. Airport staff is operating with minimum services and focusing on essential activities. Specific authorizations and passes are required for Libreville importers. Air France is going to increase a passenger aircraft for cargo to Libreville.
Gambia Air freight: All passenger flights have been suspended, only cargo flights are still operating.
Ghana All passenger flights have been suspended since March 22nd until further notice. The Lockdown was lifted on April 20th.Cargo flights are still operated (DHL, TK and Allied) but delays are to be expected. The restriction also does not apply to emergency flights, technical landings for refuel only, medical evacuation flights. The exempted flights are to seek pre-authorization from the Ghanaian entities. Capacity from Ghana is currently a big issue since carriers have not enough space to book all cargo.
Guinea Conakry Air freight: All passenger flights have been suspended. Cargo flights are still operated.
Kenya Air freight: Only cargo flights will be allowed after 25th March 2020 but crew must abide by strict controls in place. KLM is adding to flights of passenger aircrafts used as carriers in addition to Martinair, other alternatives are Kenya Airways, Ethiopian and Qatar.
Liberia Air freight: Except for cargo (DHL cargo flight comes in 5 days weekly), chartered and special flights, all commercial flights are suspended as of 23 March. All flights traveling to Liberia are suspended.
Madagascar Air freight: For air travel, as announced last week, all PAX (passenger) flights are suspended and only Air France and Turkish Airlines serve Madagascar via their weekly cargo flight. Turkish Airlines is operating on Sundays and Airfrance on Thurdays.
Malawi All international flights are suspended except: (1) flights carrying health personnel, essential health equipment and emergency relief items; (2) flights carrying returning Malawi citizens and residents or general cargo, both of which will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Mali Air freight: All passenger flights have been suspended. Cargo flights are still operated.
Mauritania Air freight: Closed.
Mozambique Air freight: Embargo on all passenger flights. Cargo flights are operational, but airlines are closing their offices and limiting flights – flights are only once a week or less, cargo is subject to stay on standby at airport.
Namibia Air freight: Limited flights. Airports are closed with no Passengers / Cargo. We are awaiting confirmation from the Ministry regarding further restrictions.
Niger Air freight: All passenger flights have been suspended. Cargo flights are still operated.
Nigeria Air freight: All airports closed to passenger international flights; cargo flights still operating. Clearing activities only for essential cargo at the airport to all clearing agents. NAHCO and SAHCO have skeletal staff on ground receiving cargo from freighters to central warehouse and releasing only essential cargo. Customs and authorities on site at a skeletal level to attend to demand on essential cargo release. Note: only cargo where the consignee can provide an exemption letter from Federal Government proving essential cargo status will be handled.
Rwanda Air freight: Embargo on all passenger flights. Minimal operations in place during lockdown. One cargo flight by Rwandair to Brussels and London.
Senegal Air freight: Suspension of all flights to/from Senegal with the exception of domestic and cargo flights, sanitary evacuations and special flights, from 20 March. Turkish and Air France cargo flights restart twice a week (Turkish Wednesday and weekend; Air France Tuesday and Sunday). Lufthansa is starting to operate Senegal; please check available schedules.
Sierra Leone Air freight: 19 March, suspension of all PAX flights. 24 March, business continuity plan in place for logistics in case of external aid oncoming.
Somalia Air freight: Federal Government of Somalia has implemented flight restrictions. International flights suspended for 15 days. AMISOM cargo base closed to all drop offs except by special application.
South Africa Air freight: Freighters to Johannesburg JNB operating (EY, QR, TK, MP, SV, KL) SAA freighter to Germany. Operations slightly delayed; Fedex - JNB to MEM and over 100 destinations available. Trucking to DBN / CPT / Namibia / Botswana where no flights operating. Charter flights ex JNB possible for essential goods.
Sudan – Airport customs closed until further notice. Customs operations for Medical, food, pharmaceuticals and any emergency spare parts from 07h00 to 13h00hrs
Sudan – South Air freight: International flights banned effective 23 March with exemption for food cargo flights, humanitarian aid operations including medical and relief flights, and technical lading.
Tanzania Air freight: Operational – Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority has announced suspending all scheduled and unscheduled passenger flights; and permitting cargo flights but crew will be quarantined at designated place by the Government for the duration of their stay.
Togo Air freight: Suspension of all flights except Ethiopian Airlines (import and export) and DHL.
Uganda Air freight: Only cargo flights operational but limited volumes due to reduced capacity.
Zambia Air freight: Only Ethiopian Airlines operating on PAX and cargo, Stabo air on cargo. Minimal service at airport.
Zimbabwe Air freight: Cargo flights only. Airport operating with minimum staff. Harare office closed, Operations Manager & Sales attending emails from home. Air freight available on call.
SEA FREIGHT
There are no reported changes in the situation of the European ports. They remain fully operational; this is the case for Antwerp, Rotterdam, Le Havre and Hamburg.
The logistics company Maersk has published the following developments for week 16:
ROAD FREIGHT
Transport of goods inside Europe is not directly affected. As noted previously, border controls are effective in many countries and long queues are reported, especially between central European countries. Waiting time can be up to 2–3 hours to cross a border. This can be a big problem when transporting perishables that have to cross more than two countries. There are still delays in crossing from Germany to Switzerland, Hungary to Romania, Romania to Bulgaria, Slovenia to Croatia, and Serbia to Bulgaria.
Sixfold provides an excellent tool to check live information on queues at EU borders.
OTHER RESOURCES
PROVIDED BY UNION FLEURS – INTERNATIONAL FLOWER TRADE ASSOCIATION (WWW.UNIONFLEURS.ORG)
European market
Since mid-April, activity is gradually restarting on the European market with garden centres having opened again in some EU countries (Belgium, Austria, the whole of Germany). It provides some breathing space for the sector, but some major markets are still mostly locked down (e.g. France, United Kingdom, Switzerland). The overall market activity (both volumes and prices) in the EU is in any case nowhere close to what it should be at this time of year, and it is anticipated that it will continue be disrupted for the coming weeks and months. Meanwhile, many flower shops will have gone bankrupt, and wholesalers as well. And the issue of customers’ credit will remain for the wholesalers in this context – customer florists not having paid their debts and now having gone bankrupt. So the ‘domino effect’ is expected to continue disrupting the European market for a long period before it can recover. As a large share of flower and live plant products also go to events, food service and hotels, hospitality, weddings and funerals, and as strict social distancing measures are due to be maintained for several months with most social and cultural events banned for several months across Europe, all sales channels will remain deeply affected with a significant impact on the overall EU market.
Trade transactions at the Dutch auctions have been significantly reduced since the collapse of the market mid-March and will continue to be much lower than they should be under normal market conditions at this time of the year and for the weeks and months to come. Royal FloraHolland has reported a reduction of turnover of 85% in the week of 13 to 20 March when the market collapsed. Since then, the loss in turnover has gradually improved step by step and activity at the auctions is now estimated at 30% less than what it should be at this time of the year. This is largely a result of the voluntary measures taken since mid-March to maintain price levels as far as possible by limiting supply and withdrawing products from the market. Royal FloraHolland has announced this week that these measures will now start being phased out from 29 April onwards. Today, price levels are nowhere close to where they should be, even if larger volumes of flowers and plants are now sold at the auctions. This is expected to continue for the coming weeks and months.
International news
The international flower industry is now intensively preparing for Mother’s day on 10 May in most destination markets (US, most of mainland Europe except for France on 7 June), hoping that the international market, airfreight and logistics connections will be sufficiently restored by then.
Asocolflores, the Association of Colombian Flower Exporters, has announced this week that it has activated its ‘Petal Plan’ for Mother’s Day (see Floral Daily), a security and coordination mechanism involving all relevant Colombian authorities to systematise processes along the supply chain as much as possible and reduce risks derived from COVID-19.
The Kenyan flower industry is still faced with a number of difficulties for airfreight linkage to destination markets as North–South-bound connections are still greatly insufficient. Efforts by the Kenya Flower Council and other industry stakeholders are slowly starting to pay off. In a statement released on 20 April, the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi announced: “Starting Tuesday, April 21, and Sunday, April 26, Air France KLM Martinair, Cargo will operate two weekly cargo flights bringing 45–50 tons of cargo from Nairobi to Amsterdam. For this purpose, KLM Boeing 777-300 passenger aircraft will be used with ample belly capacity. This comes in addition to the existing full freighter flights Air France KLM Martinair is regularly operating.” The exports will be dominated by cut flowers and other perishable products, including vegetables and fruits from Kenya to the Netherlands.
EC package of exceptional measures
On 22 April, the European Commission announced it was proposing a package of exceptional measures to support the agri-food sector. For the first time ever, measures under Article 222 of the CMO Regulation (Common Market Organisation) are being put forward to support the flower and plant sector. The proposed measures provide exceptional derogation measures from EU competition rules for the flower and live plants sector, and the authorisation to adopt self-organisational tools for market stabilisation for 6 months (e.g. market withdrawal, free distribution of products, joint promotional measures). The Commission aims to have these measures adopted by the end of April. Beforehand, Member States are being consulted and will vote on these measures.
This is an exceptional recognition by the EU Commission of the serious disruptions that have taken place on the market since mid-March. Union Fleurs, together with all other organisations of the sector, welcomes the positive political signal given by the EU Commission with this announcement. However, it is anticipated that these proposed measures will not bring any significant and tangible relief to the urgent needs of the sector, due to the specific characteristics of the sector which differ from other agricultural products. What is needed is a more ambitious plan at EU level with actual financial support to the sector to compensate the losses growers and operators have faced since the start of the crisis and guarantee liquidity to their businesses. Sector organisations will therefore continue advocating for a more direct and financially significant support by the EU under Art. 221 of the CMO and/or any other avenues that could be possible outside the CMO Regulation.
OTHER NEWS
In the Netherlands, an online initiative Kopen bij de kweker! (Buy from the grower!) is serving 1,000 visitors per day just 2 weeks after launching (Flora News). The website shows consumers a map with growers in the area where they can buy flowers and plants. As the site points out, as growers can’t export, consumers can visit the points of sale on the website to avoid millions of euros worth of flowers and plants being thrown away every day. New growers are registering on the site on a daily basis. Since last weekend, Kopen bij de kweker has also been on social media, and already has a reach of 20,000.
Royal FloraHolland provides a weekly country update for the corona crisis. It reports on the retail situation in various European countries (florists and garden centres), and on logistics affecting exporters, particularly Kenya. Royal FloraHolland also has a live blog with market updates.
COLEACP is moving from face-to-face training to digital training in the context of COVID-19.
To comply with precautionary measures related to COVID-19, for the time being COLEACP has cancelled the organization of group training sessions. As an alternative, digital distance training is the best solution. Digital distance learning cannot entirely replace face-to-face training. However, methods and technologies are now available to achieve a highly satisfactory quality of training.
COLEACP has already moved ahead with the launch of Digital Distance Training as a core activity. Our e-learning platform has been enhanced and we are providing new digital tools to trainers to assist in creating their digital courses (creating videos, etc.). COLEACP staff are working hand-in-hand with ACP trainers, moving from face-to-face training to digital. Some ACP trainers have already received online training on how to use those digital tools effectively.
TRAINING ON COVID-19 PREVENTIVE MEASURES
COLEACP is currently working on launching digital distance training on COVID-19 preventive measures, which will address the following topics:
This training will be available via COLEACP’s e-learning platform, and is addressed to local experts and key players from ACP countries (such as NGOs, national producers’ federations, public services, horticultural companies, women’s associations and medical staff). Their role is to quickly spread key messages and good practices among the horticultural sector and its communities, using the awareness-raising and information tools (leaflets and brochures, podcasts, etc.) currently being developed by COLEACP.
Given the emergency, this COVID-19 training will be launched soon in most ACP countries.
OTHER TRAINING TOPICS GO DIGITAL
In addition to COVID-19 training, COLEACP has recently introduced its first digital training in Ghana aiming at building capacity on integrated management measures for fruit fly control for fresh export technical managers. It has been a success for both trainers and trainees, who enjoyed the outcome of this digital training. Thanks to the trainers M. SARPONG Mark and M. ADDY Kenneth for their contributions.
Last but not least, COLEACP is currently working on conducting other digital training, both for ACP horticultural export companies (‘Recovery of waste from the mango sector’; and ‘Commercial negotiation’), and for experts to deliver training-of-trainers. As an example, in the coming months COLEACP will organize training-of-trainers on ‘Environmental management’ to strengthen the technical and teaching skills of experts, which will allow them to subsequently play the role of trainers and coaches for the technical managers of companies, particularly in the context of training sessions organised by COLEACP.
For more information, please visit our e-learning platform: https://training.coleacp.org/?lang=en
A photo of you in your job
On 19 April, in collaboration with Mr. Seun, a young farmer from Nigeria, COLEACP launched a challenge:
“To all professionals in the Agriculture Industry, join the challenge to post a photo of you in your job. Just a picture, no description. The goal is to flood social media with our profession as we continue feeding the nations #COVID19 #lockdown”
So far 296 farmers from all over Africa have participated, reaching 773 people. See the growing set of photos of African farmers at work here – and if you are an agricultural professional, join the challenge.
Inter-American Development Bank
This hub, coordinated by the IADB, lists initiatives and solutions to support SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean through the crisis. It includes an interactive map of ideas and innovations in Latin America and the Caribbean, with ideas from entrepreneurs for possible innovative solutions applicable to the COVID-19 crisis.
OECD - SME Policy Responses
This guide from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development highlights how SMEs are being affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic, reports on early evidence and estimates about the impact, and provides a preliminary inventory of country responses to foster SME resilience. It will be updated periodically.
Centre for Development and Enterprise
A report, COVID-19: The Impact on Small Businesses and Gaps in Current Solutions, provides a South African perspective on supporting small business through the crisis.
Griffith Centre for Sustainable Enterprise
This guide aims to assist small businesses to navigate the disruptions caused by COVID-19.
Startup Genome
Startup Genome has launched ‘The Impact of COVID-19 on Global Start-up Ecosystems’, a series of reports on policy initiatives around the world set up by governments to support start-ups and entrepreneurs.
GLOBALG.A.P. has published a set of FAQs relating to COVID-19 for producers with GLOBALG.A.P. Certificates and Certification Bodies. It explains procedures for re-registrations and extensions, and which control points and compliance criteria are directly affected by the GLOBALG.A.P. emergency procedure due to the coronavirus.
GLOBALG.A.P. is working on the option of remote inspections and audits for certification bodies and producers: IFA Remote. An initial draft of the IFA Remote solution will soon be published, along with an invitation to join a public consultation on the topic.
FAO is has a growing range of information resources on COVID-19, available through its dedicated website. Selected information of particular relevance to COLEACP’s members and beneficiaries includes:
ACP
Inter-American Development Bank
The IADB has a dedicated website for Latin American and Caribbean businesses in the context of COVID-19. It includes blogs and connection platforms on topics such as ‘Tips to prepare your company for the impact of COVID-19’, and ‘How can the COVID -19 crisis change the private sector for the better?’
coronawestafrica.info
The Regional Working Group for Risk Communication and Community Engagement in West and Central Africa has launched an online portal, COVID-19 West and Central Africa. It will make available information tools (articles, audio, video, graphics and social feeds) on many aspects of the coronavirus, from preventive measures to debunking fake news, that are designed to be culturally adapted and context specific.
RPCA with ECOWAS, UEMOA, CILSS
The Food Crisis Prevention Network (Réseau de Prévention des Crises alimentaires, RPCA) is hosting a COVID-19 information hub in support of the Regional Task Force led by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) together with the West African Monetary and Economic Union (UEMOA) and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS).
EU
DEVCO Academy
DEVCO Academy, the online learning platform of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, has launched a digital gateway for learning resources to help users learn, protect, cooperate and work effectively during the pandemic. The site compiles facts, general advice, latest news, useful links and learning resources on the topic of coronavirus. It includes, among other resources, COVID-19: Guidance for employers and business to enhance migrant worker protection during the current health crisis, guidance designed to help employers respond more effectively to the impact of COVID-19 and to enhance protections for migrant workers – including agricultural, transport and retail workers – in their operations and supply chains.
UNECE – Impacts on global supply chains
UNECE’s new Food Outlook page provides information from government and industry sources to observe and help analyse the pandemic’s impact on global supply chains. UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) predicts that following the COVID-19 outbreak in more than 200 territories and countries around the globe, and its impact on the world economy, countries will continue to see a growing shortage of workforce, as well as increasing transaction costs and distortions in the food supply chains globally. UNECE is requesting inputs to this collaborative project.
GLOBAL INSTITUTIONS
Fair Trade and coronavirus
The World Fair Trade Organization and Fairtrade International, supported by the Fair Trade Advocacy Office (FTAO), have issued a joint statement in relation to the upcoming G20 Action Plan in response to Covid-19. The statement highlights immediate food security and nutrition concerns, which are expected to be heavily impacted by the health crisis and the necessary responses, including limitations on travel and transportation and closure of public markets. Territorial markets, through which most food is bought in the developing world, will be affected and small-scale farmers are already losing the channels to sell the food they produce. The impact is being particularly heavily felt by Fair Trade Enterprises and Fairtrade supply chains, which have been precisely set up by and for the most marginalised and disadvantaged producers in the Global South.
The statement also stresses that this crisis presents an opportunity “to radically rethink the unsustainable and unequal global growth model and replace it with an emphasis on well-being, sustainability and equity”.
The Fair Trade movement is calling on G20 leaders to:
“This is the biggest challenge the Fair Trade movement has ever faced. If we are to retain the progress we have made to achieve sustainable development, immediate support from governments to Fair Trade Enterprises and supply chains is urgently needed,” said Roopa Mehta, President of the World Fair Trade Organization.
Webinar – Rethinking Value Chains Network
The Fair Trade Advocacy Office (FTAO) has hosted a webinar for the Rethinking Value Chains Network: ‘Coronavirus crisis: Impact on small famers and workers across the textiles, agriculture and electronics global value chains’. The webinar can be viewed here, and a summary is available here.
Of particular relevance to horticultural sectors are Wilbert Flinterman’s (Fairtrade International) report on the huge impact of the crisis on the flower supply chain; and Alison Tate’s (International Union Confederation) view of the huge negative impact on the livelihoods of people around the world. More than a health crisis, it is now a income, employment, economic and financial crisis. Given their advanced average age, small farmers are being disproportionately impacted by illness and death from Covid-19. However, the crisis is also an opportunity, as it has increased citizens’ consciousness of vulnerable supply chains, the roles of workers and small farmers, and the need to rethink how we produce and consume.
The FTAO is a joint initiative of Fairtrade International, the World Fair Trade Organization and the World Fair Trade Organization-Europe. It speaks out on behalf of the Fair Trade Movement for Fair Trade and Trade Justice with the aim of improving the livelihoods of marginalised producers and workers in the South.