Press releases

Driebergen, the Netherlands (HQ)

International Organic Business Guide presented to Dutch Minister of Agriculture 

The Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality received a pre-publication of the Organic Business Guide during Biofach. Biofach, the biggest fair on organic products in the world, was held in Nuremberg, Germany, from 17 till 20 February 2010. The authors, Bo van Elzakker and Frank Eyhorn, met the Minister Wednesday 17 February in the Africa Pavilion and explained the purpose of the Guide to her.

Increase chances at European markets

The Africa Pavilion is the joint initiative of various African countries to promote their organic products among European importers. The business guide is a perfect tool for African cooperatives and smallholders to improve their market chances at Western markets. Next to addresses, concept business plans, forms for certification and quality management, the guide also presents practical tips and advices for the sales and marketing of organic products. 

Transparency leads to stable trade

The target groups of users of the guide are farmers cooperatives and exporting companies of organic products. They will read clear advice about, for instance, price setting. The more transparent the African exporter is about the price towards importing European companies, the more stable will be his income. Transparency also decreases the chances of speculation with agricultural commodities worldwide.

Joint initiative of various organisations

The Organic Business Guide is a joint initiative of IFOAM, Helvetas, Agro Eco Louis Bolk Institute, ICCO and UNEP, and financed by Swedish SIDA and Swiss SECO. 1000 hard copies have been distributed during Biofach and the guide is also downloadable from the Ifoam website.

About Agro Eco-Louis Bolk Institute

The author Bo van Elzakker works at the Agro Eco-Louis Bolk Institute as a Manager Team Tropics. Agro Eco-Louis Bolk Institute is an international, independent organisation specialised in participatory research, advice and development services in the fields of organic and sustainable agriculture, nutrition and health. Their HQ are located in Driebergen (NL) and their regional hubs in Accra (GHA) and Kampala (UG). In the Netherlands, the institute works under the Louis Bolk Institute-brand.

For further information, please contact Lidwien Daniels, Communication Advisor, tel. + 31 343-523.860

Date: 09-03-2010

Terug | All press releases