The challenges of global trade to Ugandan fruit exporters

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Date
2006-10
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Publisher
Kampala International University. College of Economics and Management
Abstract
This study describes the challenges of global trade faced by Ugandan fruit exporters. The objectives of the study describe the technical barriers that affect Ugandan fruit exporters the different global trade standards Ugandan fruit exporters must comply with and the challenge posed by subsidies to Ugandan exporters. The study looked at the challenges posed by technical barriers, product standards and the impact of standards. The study involved gathering primary data from key respondents in both the private and public sectors who included fruit exporters and fruit processors, export associations and governing departments. Secondary information was also obtained from libraries and from the internet. The investigation revealed that apple bananas, pineapples mangoes, papaws, passion fruits, avocados, Gros Michel bananas and citrus fruits were the major fruits exported. The production trends indicated that apple bananas are the highly produced; followed by Gros Michel bananas, pineapples mangoes avocados, paw paws and passion fruits respectively. Data was collected from five companies involved in fruit exporting and these were Amfri farms limited, Fruit Pack (U) Limited, Fruits of the Nile (U) limited, Jackson (U) limited, Sulma Foods and Masaka organic Producers (MOP)/ St Jude family projects. The major findings indicated that in spite of the fact that Ugandan organic fruits are in high demand in international markets, fruit exporters have not been able to adequately access the global markets due to the challenges that were identified during the study. These challenges identified were non tariff barriers such as standards, Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary measures, environmental barriers, technical regulations, poor technology, infrastructure constraints, and subsidies among others. The study therefore recommends improving the technology levels so to improve the quality, safety, and authenticity of the products exported, complying with the testing procedures, conformity assessment product certification requirement and labeling standards. For such efforts to be sustainable and competitive, the fruit exporters need continuous training on quality assurance and control, good management practices. Formation of associations was recommended to improve the organizational structure of the fruit exporters. Future research is needed in validating existing drying technologies and adopting proven technologies from abroad. Further research studies including market and consumer studies, product standards, SPS measures are needed to guide research efforts in designing interventions that are profitable and suite global market needs.
Description
A thesis presented to the school of postgraduate studies in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the of Masters Degree of Business Administration of Kampala International University
Keywords
Global trade, Trade, Fruit exporters
Citation