Organic foods
According to a Tradewatch Newsletter a recent study by the International Trade Committee (ITC) predicts that sales of organic foods, that is food grown without the use of any additives or chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides, could jump from l% to l0% of total retail food sales in major markets over the next few years. The report says that with retail sales of organic food and beverages amounting to over US$l3 billion in Western Europe, the United States of America and Japan in l998, trade in organic food and beverage products has become an important and global agribusiness. The fast growth in sales (close to US$20 billion is predicted for this year) has been spurred by an increasing awareness of health and environmental issues by consumers, aggressive marketing by major retail groups, product development and packaging innovations by food processors and manufacturers and a supportive government policy in many countries. One welcomes, therefore, the recent news that Guyana could be ready by October to export its first crop of organically-grown cocoa to Europe to be used in the manufacture of chocolate. At a ceremony to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in respect of the project Mr Jerry La Gra, The Resident Representative of the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture, said it is the first time that Guyana will be producing and exporting a product for the organic market. The project involves 26 farmers who have formed a group known as the Mabaruma/Hosororo Cocoa Growers Association, the Ministry of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock and the National Agricultural Research Unit and will be supported by the Regional Democratic Council of Region One. Mr La Gra said the ministry's extension officers would train the farmers in pruning and clearing. He noted that the October crop could be affected by acoushi ants, nests for which had been sighted in the areas. The British government is providing aid for the project which was encouraged by Prince Charles on his visit to Guyana this year. Speaking at the ceremony Mr Edward Glover, the British High Commissioner, said that with the necessary monitoring and certification the cocoa farms should become fully organic by October next year, in time for the second crop. This year's crop would be "in transition" as arrangements were being made for international certification which would pronounce the land free of chemical contamination. That would involve at least two visits a year by the company chosen. The ITC report says that the major markets in Europe and elsewhere offer good prospects for supplies of organic products that are not produced domestically such as coffee, tea, cocoa, spices, tropical fruits and vegetables and citrus fruits. If this project is successful it could be the beginning of a major push to develop `other' agriculture to supplement the traditional exports of sugar and rice. All concerned must be congratulated for getting the project started. It might also be a good idea for businessmen to open shops specialising in organic foods as already exists in the major markets. They tend to be a little more expensive at this stage than the normal products but there is already a market for such projects in Guyana.
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