Geographical indications and quality brands: An effective tool to promote industrial SMEs’ market access

In most African countries, the agrifood industry is the largest industry. It therefore has the potential to drive the continent’s future socio-economic development. Building an inclusive and sustainable agri-food industry remains a developmental challenge, but also constitutes an opportunity for African -small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs). Consumers are increasingly interested in traditional products that are deeply rooted in their territories of origin. This trend is a major opportunity for producers (particularly SMEs), as it removes the pressure of competing with generic and standardized products. It rewards them for what they have always done: producing traditional products whose quality, attributes and reputation are linked to ancestral know-how and the places where they are produced. In the marketplace, these origin-linked products¹ can secure premium prices, provided they are clearly differentiated and identifiable to consumers. Geographical Indications (GIs) and certified quality brands are tools that can help producers to unlock the value added of origin-linked products.

SUPPORTING RECOGNITION OF TRADITION WITH A HOLISTIC APPROACH

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) promotes industrial development to reduce poverty, and to promote sustainability and inclusive globalization. It has long implemented technical assistance in developing value chains in Africa and elsewhere: fostering business linkages, improving quality compliance, enhancing productivity, and promoting market access. UNIDO has drawn on the experiences of more than 20 countries to develop tools and methodologies for preserving and promoting origin-linked products, with the goal of sustainable and inclusive industrial development. Its integrated approach ensures that SMEs can maximize the potential of agri-food products, and that benefits are fairly distributed along the value chain. Launched in 2013, the Programme for Market Access of Typical Products (PAMPAT), financed by the Swiss Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO), aims to improve the performance, market access and socio-economic conditions of SMEs in various agri-food value chains in Morocco and Tunisia. The project’s activities focus on strengthening the organization of the selected value chains; on improving the productivity, quality compliance and product development of SMEs; and on enhancing their positions in domestic and export markets. It also helps to ensure that products comply with the requirements of Geographical Indications and Quality Marks, in order to position them in niche markets. This allows producers to obtain premium prices and higher revenues. PAMPAT also strengthens national and regional capacities for developing and promoting local products. Within these activities PAMPAT supported the setup and organization of the Moroccan and Tunisian Contests for Typical Food Products, and facilitated exchanges of experience and regional best practices. In implementing programmes like PAMPAT, UNIDO applies a holistic approach, including broadly related areas of intervention. The key element is “Quality and Origin”, which involves compliance with quality and safety specifications, and promoting labels across the value chain, buyers and consumers.

HELPING TO MEET STANDARDS FOR MOROCCAN ARGAN OIL

In Morocco, UNIDO applied this approach to the argan oil value chain, with a view to promoting the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). There it assisted the interprofessional body Fédération Interprofessionnelle de la Filière de l’Argane (FIFARGANE) to develop traceability software to ensure that producers respect the PGI code of practice. The software ensures that all of the steps along the value chain are PGI compliant: producers have been trained in PGI compliance, as well as in compliance with national food safety and hygiene laws. Assessments were conducted and in many cases upgrades to production facilities were required. Coordination and partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture enabled producers to undertake the upgrades, and the number of producers certified by PGI increased by 150% between 2013 and 2019. The Programme also focused on strengthening and promoting collective branding focusing on the argan oil PGI, to increase market access potential for SMEs, cooperatives and consortia producing high quality and PGI certified products. An example of this intervention is the establishment of the Vitargan consortium, along with support for the development of their marketing strategy and materials together with brand promotion. Additionally, the Programme has trained women in entrepreneurship and marketing, to support women’s cooperatives, impacting the livelihoods of members.

FINDING THE NICHE IN TUNISIA

In Tunisia, the approach was applied in the prickly pear (cactus) value chain, to position the products in niche markets, enabling the country to tap the potential of the sector. In 2014, Tunisia had only five prickly pear processors; by 2019, there were over 30 firms, operating mainly in the organic cosmetic and para-pharmaceutical sectors. To achieve this, PAMPAT assisted entrepreneurs to develop business plans, gain access to finance and improve their production, marketing and sales skills. As a result, around 1,000 jobs were created. The growing number of processing companies in the sector has also driven demand for certified organic prickly pears. The Programme has linked organic businesses with farmers, and supported producers in becoming organically certified. As a result, the size of certified organic cactus plantations and the prices paid to farmers have doubled. An initiative was also set-up to promote the sector’s flagship product, cactus seed oil, under the collective brand “Organic Cactus Seed Oil – Origin Tunisia”. Progressive organization of the sector led to the creation of the National Cactus Development Association (ANADEC), representing most companies. Today, prickly pear products rank fifth among Tunisian certified organic exports.

MEETING SDGs

In developing the value chains of typical products, an approach centered around GIs and quality labels advances Sustainable Development Goals. Territorial products are often produced by marginalized populations, particularly women. Thus, supporting them will have a positive impact on reducing poverty (SDG 1) and enhancing gender equality (SDG 5). With an awareness of the importance of biodiversity and the sustainable utilization of resources for showcasing territorial assets, collaborative decision-making and governance structures foster regional development and preserve natural and cultural heritage. Improved demand and market access for territorial assets positively impacts income generation and job opportunities, contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth (SDG 8). Most importantly, this approach contributes to inclusive and sustainable industrial development (SDG 9).

^{1 Origin-linked products can be define as local products based on a territorial identity and reputation and/or products based on specifi modes of production whose quality, reputation or any other characteristics are attributable to their geographical origin.}