Market Access for Small-scale Farmers in a Market-Oriented, Environmentally-Sustainable Context - from an economic & commercial viewpoint Nick Shirra WABS Ltd. (Agri-Business and Marketing Specialists)

Market Oriented Environmentally Sustainable Ag Production Markets present for the following :- Safe Food – low MRLs EUREPGAPS – traceability & low MRLs Organic – traceability, no chemical contamination, environmentally conserving practices -All basically Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS)

The Market for GAPs Growing market in Vn ‘Safe’ agri-produce – a few companies already invested and has increasing investment Organic in Europe - Euro 1.8 billion value of European Organic-food market (2006) - increasing 10 – 14% annually EUREPGAP - almost a mandatory requirement for exporting to Europe Aquatics +++

Japan and numerous other countries also have high demand for organic etc. (1999 estimates annual market value US $ 2 – 3 billion) Other destinations – (data from 2000)

Sources GAP Imports Europe-Europe / Eastern Europe / Northern Arabia - (Africa inc South Africa) - Asia (small amounts) North America - US, South America Japan + Asia - Australia and world wide Middle East - Worldwide

Vietnam’s GAP Market Access Current EUREPGAPS - where already competitive in supplying markets – growing slowly e.g. low- value coffees, Organic – limited – a few vegetables + coffee Safe food – some access into domestic market Aquatics – doing well in shrimps etc.

Vietnam’s GAP Market Access Potential EUREPGAPS - where already competitive in supplying markets further development could occur. Organic – limited in short & medium term Safe Food – potential in short & long-term for domestic markets. Aquatics – doing well already

Vietnam’s GAP Market Access – Constraints Compared to other countries the private sector does not invest as much in small-scale farmers Relationships (both ways) are weak and unreliable Private sector traditionally (last 25 years) dominated by SOEs Vietnam is not a traditional exporter of high value f&v to major export destinations As a result business-services are few (air-freight, certification services, training services etc.)

Vietnam’s GAP Market Access Developmental Needs & Strategies – for discussion 1.Advice on market orientation / selection ? 2.Capacity building at production level in supplying to market demands (certification requirements etc.) ? 3.Increasing private sector investment / competitiveness ? 4.Building market demand locally ? 5.????

Support wisely ! Nick Shirra WABS Ltd. (Agri-Business and Marketing Specialists)