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Identifying opportunities in Europe for Palestinian MAPs producers

2019-03-28T11:45:30+00:00August 20th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , |

On behalf of CBI, ProFound recently conducted a value chain analysis (VCA) for Palestinian medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). We analysed both the supply side in Palestine and the European market to identify bottlenecks, opportunities and possible interventions to develop the Palestinian MAPs sector. CBI will use this VCA to determine if, how and with which partners they can develop a project in the State of Palestine. Challenges for MAPs production in State of Palestine The State of Palestine is known for its production of fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, olive oil, dates and almonds. European buyers are interested to [Read more]

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Sustainable and equitable Jatamansi trade from Nepal

2021-11-25T07:13:45+00:00July 10th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Together with our partners TRAFFIC International and ANSAB (Asia Network for Sustainable and Bioresources), ProFound has been awarded funding by the Darwin Initiative through the UK Government for the project “Succeeding with CITES: Sustainable and equitable Jatamansi trade from Nepal”.  Jatamansi (Nardostachys grandiflora) only grows naturally in the Himalayan range, mainly in Nepal, India and China. The root of this plant is used in traditional medicine. Its essential oil is also used in cosmetics and aromatherapy.  Sustainability issues of Jatamansi Habitat loss and overexploitation of Jatamansi is leading to a degradation of the species, which poses future problems for the [Read more]

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Central America – A Multisectoral Value Chain Analysis

2019-03-28T11:44:37+00:00July 6th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , |

Coffee, cacao, (fresh and processed) fruit and vegetables, as well as fish and seafood: they are a few of the most demanded products on the European food market. They are also among the most important export products for Central America. As such, many exporters in the region are still looking for opportunities and often dream of Europe as key market. Europe is perceived as an ideal destination for high-quality products and premium prices.  Also, European buyers show great interest in products from Central America: The region furnishes complex, high-altitude Arabica coffees with multiple social and ecological certifications which match European [Read more]

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Moringa trending! Read our study and join the initiative

2019-04-12T14:27:49+00:00June 28th, 2018|Tags: , , , |

Moringa: Buyers say it will be a new trend soon, and the number of commercial moringa farmers in Zambia is growing. Farmers, investors, (inter)national buyers, government institutions and NGO’s are gearing towards exporting moringa leaves, leaf powder and seed oil from Zambia to Europe. ProFound has been studying the European market for moringa for many years and assessed the situation in Zambia to determine the market opportunities for Zambian suppliers and recommend market entry strategies. The results of this study, commissioned by the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO) are now available for everyone interested in the market potential of Zambian moringa. [Read more]

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South African and Pakistani suppliers at Vitafoods: 46 potential orders

2019-07-05T08:59:19+00:00May 18th, 2018|Tags: , , , , |

The results of the CBI pavilion at Vitafoods 2018 made it clear: Vitafoods continues to lead when it comes to ingredients for healthy foods, food supplements and herbal medicine. The fair held 7-9 May in Geneva received 1,100 exhibitors across different ingredient categories and 21,000 corporate visitors. The show is on the frontline of emerging industry trends: the convergence between food and pharma, new ingredients, new delivery systems and the emergence of personalised nutrition. The 6 participants from South Africa and Pakistan made 350 high-quality business contacts resulting in 8 fixed orders and 46 potential orders. This was their last CBI-supported participation. [Read more]

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Green Rhino tackles food safety issues in Kenya with Healthy Green Choice

2020-03-04T09:17:39+00:00May 9th, 2018|Tags: , , , , |

Kenyan companies face severe mistrust issues on the domestic and international markets. This dates from a few years back, when products were rejected by European markets despite carrying labels. European tests revealed metal and pesticides residues. Healthy Green Choice: a new activity to develop food safety solutions ProFound’s sister company Green Rhino is accelerating its activities in Kenya. This month, Bert-Jan Ottens and James Sablerolles joined Operations Manager Stella Maina in Nairobi to further develop ‘Healthy Green Choice’ food safety solutions. "It has become clear we are looking at long-term collaboration with partners in Kenya to work on traceable [Read more]

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Nepalese and Tunisian essential and vegetable oils big hit at in-cosmetics

2020-03-04T13:31:53+00:00April 26th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , |

At and around in-cosmetics, we’ve supported three companies from Nepal and Tunisia to meet potential buyers. These companies are part of the programmes of the Import Promotion Desk in these countries. They produce a wide range of organic essential and vegetable oils, such as jojoba oil, rosemary oil, and myrtle oil from Tunisia for Bio Orient, and lemongrass oil, palmarosa oil, wintergreen oil and chiuri butter from Nepal for Everest Aroma and Himalayan Biotrade.  At in-cosmetics the companies met both new and existing buyers for their products. Afterwards, we met with three essential and vegetable oil buyers in Germany: [Read more]

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Kasper Kerver highlights moringa opportunities on Zambian TV

2019-04-16T09:36:02+00:00April 5th, 2018|Tags: , , , |

Our consultant Kasper Kerver just returned from field research on moringa in Zambia. During his trip he was also interviewed for the national TV network ZNBC. In Kasper's field research, he assessed current capacities and developments on the ground in Zambia. Kasper discussed the opportunities for moringa production with stakeholders in the sector. He visited nurseries, farmers, traders, exporters, the Zambian Development Agency and NGOs with an interest in this sector. I see a big opportunity for Zambia in the global market for organic certified moringa. India, the main supplier of moringa, struggles with the organic certification of moringa.  - Kasper Kerver Watch the video [Read more]

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Gustavo Ferro on mission in Central America: 6 countries, 5 sectors, 5 weeks

2019-03-28T11:45:08+00:00March 29th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

ProFound’s senior consultant Gustavo Ferro is currently conducting a Multisectoral Value Chain Analysis (VCA) in Central America for CBI’s new Export Coaching Programme (ECP). He visits six different countries to collect data for this analysis, in collaboration with the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE). In each country, Gustavo and CATIE’s experts are engaging with SMEs and sector organisations. These provide their views and experiences on the following sectors: Specialty coffee Cacao and derivatives Fresh fruit and vegetables Processed fruit and vegetables Fish and seafood We are identifying the main constraints and opportunities for sustainable export growth from SMEs [Read more]

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Upcoming activities in Q2

2020-03-04T13:35:21+00:00March 29th, 2018|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Amsterdam 17-19 April: introducing 21 exporters to the cosmetic market From 17-19 April you can find us at "in-cosmetics" in Amsterdam, the global trade fair for cosmetic ingredients. Visit CBI stand A30 to find business opportunities with 18 exporters from South Africa, Peru and Colombia. They will present a wide range of cosmetic ingredients, including luxurious oils, exquisite fragrances and innovative botanical extracts.  We will introduce three companies from Nepal and Tunisia to potential buyers during a selling mission, together with the Import Promotion Desk. These producers of organic essential and vegetable oils will visit the in-cosmetics trade fair. After the [Read more]

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