Workshop on Sustainability Standards and Market Transparency for Coconuts and Cocoa

​The workshop is organized as part of the project Fostering Green Exports through Voluntary Sustainability Standards in Developing Countries in synergy with Trade and Agricultural Policies to Support Small-Scale Farmers and Enhance Food Security.

Coconuts and cocoa, traditionally important crops to Vanuatu, have the potential to become key drivers for green export growth. The National Green Export Review 2016 found that global demand for these products was growing with an unprecedented speed, yet Vanuatu was not capturing the market opportunity due partly to the disconnection between global market demand and local supply decision on coconuts and cocoa. The Review has also recommended a set of policy actions required for Vanuatu to build on its strength, seize opportunities, and limit exposure to threats. These policy actions include:

1. establishing national (organic) brand for coconuts and cocoa, and
2. improving access to market information by farmers, producers and the private sector.

This workshop will examine these two recommendations and discuss on the prospects on how to achieve them.

The first day of the workshop will bring together experts on sustainable production and trade from international organizations, producers associations, the private sector, and the national government. Interested participants are also encouraged to attend a half-day special training session for the second day on the Vanuatu Market Information System (MIS) Directory and scoping for the MIS Repository.