COMESA steps up efforts to harmonise trade barriers in horticulture

• Trade and Industry PS Juma Mukhwana said NTBs are a major obstacle to regional trade, agricultural productivity, and economic growth.
• “The horticulture sector is a key driver of economic development… however, persistent NTBs continue to limit market access and the seamless movement of horticultural products.”

Efforts to enhance horticultural trade in Eastern and Southern Africa have gained momentum as regional leaders commit to eliminating non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that continue to hinder cross-border trade in fresh and processed fruits and vegetables.

The Principal Secretary for Trade, Regina Ombam, has called for urgent action to identify and harmonise NTBs that are stifling horticultural trade across the region.

Speaking during the COMESA-EAC Horticulture Accelerator (CEHA) Regional Workshop in Nairobi, through a speech read on her behalf by Caroline Chore – Senior Trade Development Officer at the Ministry of Industry – Trade and Industry PS Juma Mukhwana said NTBs are a major obstacle to regional trade, agricultural productivity, and economic growth.

“The horticulture sector is a key driver of economic development, supporting farmers, SMEs, and agribusinesses across COMESA and EAC member states,” he said.

“However, persistent NTBs continue to limit market access and the seamless movement of horticultural products.”

Juma warned that, if not addressed in a structured and coordinated manner, these barriers would continue to fragment regional markets, undermine productivity, and slow regional integration.

The CEHA workshop brings together key players in the sector to map out pressing NTBs, identify challenges along the value chain, and foster dialogue among policymakers, regulators, and producers.

The meeting also aims to build capacity for compliance with trade facilitation protocols and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards.

“By fostering cooperation among national and regional stakeholders, we can create a more harmonised trade environment that allows farmers and agribusinesses to thrive,” Ombam said.

“Let us seize this opportunity to accelerate trade facilitation and build a more competitive and integrated horticulture industry in the region.”

Dr John Mukuka, CEO of the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA), said that despite agriculture’s immense potential, intra-regional trade remains slow and fragmented largely due to NTBs.

“One of the key culprits is non-tariff barriers. These are the hidden forces that delay trucks, inflate costs, and erode farmers’ incomes,” he said.

Mukuka pointed to statistics showing that intra-COMESA exports dropped by 11 per cent in 2020—from Sh1.4 trillion (USD 10.9 billion) to Sh1.25 trillion (USD 9.7 billion)—with NTBs playing a major role in the decline.

“Across the EAC, 256 NTBs were reported. While 95 percent had been resolved by mid-2022, traders still face lengthy delays, spending anywhere from 2 to 296 hours on compliance. A 10 per cent increase in paperwork time can reduce exports by an equal margin,” he explained.

He emphasised the need to harmonise SPS standards and NTBs, especially for key horticultural products such as avocados, Irish potatoes, and onions.

“Our goal is to ensure that farmers and agribusinesses can trade seamlessly within the COMESA region, without being held back by unnecessary barriers,” Mukuka said.

“These are perishable products. Any delay due to NTBs or SPS issues risks losses, and this must be addressed urgently.”

According to Mukuka, harmonisation efforts will cover seed and input requirements, pest and disease control protocols, and the use of approved agricultural chemicals.

“This will protect both farmers and consumers, and boost profitability in the fruit and vegetable sector,” he said.

He added that ACTESA is working towards completing the harmonisation process within the next six to 12 months.

Mukuka also stressed the importance of boosting intra-regional trade before expanding to international markets.

“Our regional trade currently stands at just 10 to 15 per cent, compared to over 50 percent among EU member states,” he said.

“We must strengthen trade within Africa first before tapping into global markets like the EU or China.”