Ugandan fruits and vegetable exporters to the European Union (EU) are still reeling from the multimillion dollar losses they have incurred after a self-imposed ban by the government.
The ban came into place after a meeting involving all stakeholders agreed that a one month self imposed ban for all produce affected by infestation of undesirable harmful organisms be implemented affective May 4, 2015 for all exporters who are non compliant with the EU standards regulations. Elly Twineyo Kamugisha, the Uganda Exports Promotions executive director, revealed that the ban expired on June 4, paving way for companies that have been evaluated and confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to resume business.
“UEPB has registered all the exporters with nucleus farms and other requirements. MAAIF is still doing the evaluation of exporters to ascertain whether they comply with the resolutions,” he explained.
Inspection has covered relevant planting materials, nucleus farms and fresh produce imported from other countries into the Country. Twineyo however warned that companies that have been intercepted before still have to prove to the ministry that they have rectified their issues as per the requirements. The ban has not gone without a huge loss for the economy. Twineyo says the country has lost approximately $63.9 million in export revenue in the one-month spell. The European Union remains the biggest market for Ugandan fresh products such as fish, flowers and agricultural products earning the economy more than $ 800 million annually.
