Tap into organic niche, companies urged

Markets
EXPORT promotion body, ZimTrade, has urged local companies to take advantage of an increasing demand for organic, gluten-free and sugar-free products worldwide by tapping into such niche markets.

EXPORT promotion body, ZimTrade, has urged local companies to take advantage of an increasing demand for organic, gluten-free and sugar-free products worldwide by tapping into such niche markets.

OWN CORRESPONDENT

In its weekly newsletter, ZimTrade said the global agro-food market is undergoing a profound change in its orientation and there was an increasing demand for organic, gluten-free and sugar-free products, as well as herbal teas, spices and condiments that have not been overprocessed.

The market is focused on healthier, greener, biological and nutritious diets.

“Highly processed foods are rapidly losing favour. Companies could, therefore, leverage this competitive advantage to tap into these niche markets. This will require ensuring that appropriate certifications are obtained and products can wear the ‘organic’ label proudly and in full compliance with buyer requirements,” the ZimTrade update reads.

The global agro-food market is undergoing a profound change in its orientation and there is an increasing demand for organic, gluten-free and sugar-free products, as well as herbal teas, spices and condiments that have not been overprocessed- Zimtrade
The global agro-food market is undergoing a profound change in its orientation and there is an increasing demand for organic, gluten-free and sugar-free products.

To fulfill this market expectation, ZimTrade said consumers prefer healthier options – complete, green foods in as natural a state as possible.

It said one way of exploring, understanding and keeping tabs with these market trends is the use of the e-based market information tool, Zimbabwe-European Business Information Centre.

This platform allows access to real-time trade and market intelligence-related information on EU member states’ import requirements and rules of origin for exports under economic partnership agreements, among others.

Sales of gluten-free pasta and bread, dairy-free yoghurt and ice creams as well as other recipes, such as vegan hamburgers, are the fastest growing segments in the retail sector in France and Europe in general.

The body said many of these products may be foreign concepts to Zimbabwean producers, which means that much research needs to go into the understanding and leveraging of such opportunities.

“Nevertheless, these are still niche products and are typically consumed by people with large disposable incomes, who are willing to pay a little extra for more natural and higher quality products.”

ZimTrade said success factors to capture markets include a careful attention to production techniques and processes to ensure the highest standards of quality are met.

Additionally, there is need for an exacting attention to packaging; innovating the ways in which the products are presented, transformed and value-added, all to ensure that concerns and needs of the consumer are met, ZimTrade added.