Commodity working groups set up by FPEAK, Nairobi, Kenya

The expected outcome of the NTF II Kenya Fruit Project is for the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), to sustainably develop and execute commodity export business plans and to ensure that the plans achieve targets.  One of the first steps towards this outcome took place in July 2011 when FPEAK, with the assistance of ITC, facilitated a first working group dialogue between 20 public and private sector stakeholders in three fruits (avocado, mango and passion fruit).  Each of three dialogues, dubbed "commodity working groups", was composed of ministry and parastatal representatives, exporters ad processors.  During each of the three meetings, the stakeholders agreed that sustainable commodity business plans should not be based on speculation of the state of play of fruits in Kenya.  Instead, each group reiterated the need for a long term vision based on sound local production and logistics information as well as robust international market and competition analysis.  The commodity business plans will be used as a basis to ensure coordinated efforts to improve competitiveness of Kenyan fruits in the international markets.  The commodity working groups will play a central role in developing the export business plans and contribute to their implementation.