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2nd October , 2017 , Hits: 429
Kampala, 2nd October 2017 – Experts in food and agriculture sector are meeting in Kampala for a week to discuss standards for fresh fruits and vegetables including garlic, potatoes and eggplants, kiwi fruits and fresh dates.
The Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV) which is hosted by the Government of Uganda together with the Government of Mexico has attracted over 200 delegates from 50 countries.
Speaking at the opening session of the meeting, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC), Hon. Amelia Kyambadde, said: “Although trade in fresh fruits and vegetable 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 standards”.
Uganda has been effectively participating in developing standards related to quality and safety of food and agricultural products.
“The implementation and application of relevant codex standards, has helped Uganda’s exports to penetrate key markets in the various food sectors significantly fruits and vegetables, and fishery products,” Hon. Kyambadde said.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said: “The meeting comes at a time when the Government is in the process of streamlining the national food control system in order to respond to current and emerging food safety issues.”
Fresh fruits and vegetables from Uganda are mainly exported to the European Union (United Kingdom, 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 USD3.2 million and 12,000 tonnes of vegetables worth USD127 million.
Uganda is a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), an international food standards body which was formed by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
About UNBS
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a statutory body responsible for developing and promoting standards and quality of products and services to facilitate fair trade, promote local industries and protect consumers.
For more information, please contact:
Godwin Bonge Muhwezi
Head of Public Relations
Uganda National Bureau of Standards
Bweyogerere Industrial Park,
Plot 2 - 12, Kyaliwajala Road,
P.O Box 6329 Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 0700930996
e-mail: godwin.muhwezi@unbs.go.ug
Website: www.unbs.go.ug