Pilot certification tool: Sustainably sourcing Pine Nuts in Northern Pakistan

2017-12-19T14:24:51+00:00August 29th, 2016|Tags: , , , , , , , |

During a recent CBI mission in July to Pakistan, Bert-Jan Ottens and Michael Schwegler (our in2ni colleague) prepared the grounds for an innovative pilot scheme, aiming at the sustainable sourcing and certification of wild-collected Chilgoza (pine) nuts from the Northern areas of Pakistan. They took stock of current collection and processing practices of Community Biodiversity Enterprises (CBEs) in the Gouherabad valley, who are collecting Chilgoza pine nuts from their communal forests. The pilot introduces a ground-breaking certification solution that aims to assess and certify supply chains in the natural ingredient sector according to multiple voluntary sustainable standards. This certification tool [Read more]

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Business Organizations adopt export marketing training for South African Natural Ingredient exporters

2016-11-01T16:27:56+00:00August 16th, 2016|Tags: , , , , |

Within the scope of the CBI natural ingredients project in South Africa, ProFound developed a training with CECOSA, the Cosmetic Export Council of South Africa, for companies to develop an export marketing plan. This plan helps companies to decide which product to export to which market, and what actions, people and investments are needed to get there. Also, the export marketing plan is suitable to request subsidies for market entry from DTI, the South African Department of Trade and Investment. Food South Africa / The Western Cape Fine Food Initiative, identified new services for their members – such as a market [Read more]

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ProFound and Sandra Kruger and Associates help save endangered rooibos

2016-11-01T16:27:56+00:00August 16th, 2016|Tags: , , , |

The rooibos sector is under pressure. Volumes are going down because of drought and a lack of investment in production, value addition in South Africa remains low, and incomes for workers and small farmers in the sector are insufficient to support their families and communities. To make the sector more sustainable ProFound and Sandra Kruger Associates are developing an intervention to tackle these issues in an integrated way: increasing production, achieving CSR compliance and adding value through certification and CSR marketing. To support this effort, the team visited Carmien, a rooibos farm and processor in South Africa, to identify and [Read more]

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New model for sustainable trade

2020-03-04T09:43:00+00:00July 21st, 2016|Tags: , , , |

Voluntary private standards flourish as a governance tool for sustainable trade, but do they really work? There are serious limitations to these standards, which limit their effectiveness and impact. A joint effort by Utrecht University, CBI and ProFound is re-evaluating the performance of private standards as a governance tool and looking into a new governance model. Last week, Bram van Helvoirt of the Utrecht University presented this joint paper at the International Sustainable Development Research Society Conference, in Lisbon. Bram presented several governance mechanisms that can be used as alternatives: Action, Collaboration, Transformation; the Participatory Guarantee System; and Access and Benefit Sharing. He talked about the challenges to implement these systems in sustainable [Read more]

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Dissemination seminar in Tunisia: Olive Oil and the German market

2016-11-01T16:28:02+00:00May 30th, 2016|Tags: , , , , , , |

Commissioned by the GIZ project Initiative pour la Promotion des Filières Agricoles (IPFA) in Tunisia, Gustavo Ferro landed in Tunis for the Olive Oil Day. He disseminated the main results  of a tailored study on the German market for olive oil and composed the panel of experts. The study was completed in 2015, in collaboration with CBI, IPD and Klaus Duerbeck Consulting. It is available online on the CBI website. The Olive Oil Day (25 May) was attended by more than 45 participants, mainly composed of olive oil companies. Gustavo Ferro and other sector experts, importers and institution representatives engaged in a discussion on the opportunities and [Read more]

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Successful participation at in-cosmetics

2016-11-01T16:28:02+00:00May 6th, 2016|Tags: , , , , , , |

ProFound consultant Robbie Hogervorst travelled to Paris for a very successful in-cosmetics trade fair. Together with CBI expert Andrew Jones, he supported 19 companies from South Africa, Colombia, Peru and Indonesia. They are part of the CBI export coaching programme for SMEs from developing countries. These companies offer a wide range of cosmetic ingredients, from luxurious oils and fragrances to innovative botanical extracts. The in-cosmetics team considered the 2016 edition the best attended ever, and the CBI stand was no exception. The number of business contacts the CBI participants collected exceeded expectations. All nineteen exhibitors were very happy with the quality of their new contacts and will follow [Read more]

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Colombian flower growers prepare to gain share in Europe

2016-11-01T16:28:02+00:00March 3rd, 2016|Tags: , , , , |

The flower industry in Colombia is expanding its horizon. The USA currently accounts for around 75% of Colombia’s flower exports and still provides plenty of opportunities, but Colombian exporters are keen to supply other markets too. They are mostly interested in China, the Middle East and Europe. ProFound analysed the European market. We focused on the growing demand for hortensia and the topic of sustainability. In two separate studies for CBI/Procolombia and Solidaridad, we identified opportunities for Colombian exporters and provided recommendations. These included learning from European competitors to improve hortensia quality, breeding more and stronger varieties of hortensia, and lobbying [Read more]

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Supporting Pakistani companies at Biofach 2016

2016-11-01T16:28:02+00:00February 18th, 2016|Tags: , , |

ProFound assisted three Pakistani companies that have organic certified products at the CBI stand on Biofach 2016. The companies presented a wide offer of natural food products and ingredients, ranging from dried fruits to liquorice. The first results of the trade show look very promising: one company was able to materialise an offer and the total potential orders well exceeded our initial expectations. The exhibiting companies are taking part in the CBI Export Coaching Programme for the natural ingredients sector in Pakistan. This programme builds the capacities of SMEs in Pakistan by providing tailored assistance and trade fair support. We [Read more]

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Roasted coffee from Colombia: Breaking the barrier

2016-11-01T16:28:02+00:00February 16th, 2016|Tags: , , , , |

Europe is the main market for speciality coffee worldwide, as well as home to the largest and most innovative coffee roasters. The European market demands a high volume of green coffee beans, but it presents several challenges to exporters of roasted coffee from producing countries. In partnership with organisations such as PROCOLOMBIA and the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia, CBI has launched a programme with Colombian coffee roasters whose aim is to enter the European market. In the context of this programme, ProFound is currently investigating the European market for roasted coffee with CBI expert Rafael Valcarce. The goal is to provide Colombian exporters [Read more]

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Introducing Myanmar to Europe

2016-11-01T16:28:03+00:00February 5th, 2016|Tags: , , , |

Myanmar is an important producer of pulses, beans and oilseeds. It is a market leader for sesame seed and one of the biggest players for (in particular black) mung beans. The country has a strong potential to become a significant source for Dutch and European buyers. Research by ProFound, done for CBI/RVO, shows that Dutch importers are quite interested to start working in Myanmar. However, there are strong concerns in terms of quality, in particular concerning food safety and traceability. Buyers are also concerned about CSR compliance. ProFound’s director Bert-Jan Ottens visited Myanmar in January 2016, to determine key bottlenecks [Read more]

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