Finding new export destinations for Belgian fruit and vegetables - this is one of the country's Horticultural Cooperatives Federation's (VBT) top priorities. Belgian apples and pears already have access to the Mexican market. Now, starting this fall, the 129 million Mexican consumers can discover Belgian chicory too.
The VBT has been doing its utmost to correctly create access to new sales markets in recent years. That is for Belgian fruit and vegetables. They are doing so in partnership with the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain. This is certainly no mean feat. You always have to consider the specific requirements of the country wanting Belgian products.
In real terms, that means there must be clear agreements between the export and import countries. The products are analyzed to reveal any phytosanitary risks. These findings must meet Mexico's National Plant Protection Service's phytosanitary standards.
"This is good news for Belgian chicory farmers. But, of course, there's still much to be done to make this first step truly successful. The fruit and vegetable sector continues to invest heavily in promoting Belgian fruit and vegetables on its own market. That's alongside the efforts of opening up new export markets," says the VBT's Luc Vanoirbeek.
"The Flemish Centre for Agro- and Fishery Marketing anticipates another substantial budget for 2022. That's together with European Commission. These funds are to further develop countries where we've created market access. This is absolutely necessary. We still have to develop markets in all these new export destinations effectively," he concludes.
For more information:
Luc Vanoirbeek
Het Verbond van Belgische Tuinbouwcoöperaties
Tel: +32 (0) 477 330 635
Email: luc.vanoirbeek@vbt.eu
Website: www.vbt.eu