New digital tool launched to boost compliance of fresh produce exports

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) has unveiled a new digital tool to enhance Uganda’s compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards for fresh produce exports, targeting high-value markets such as the European Union.

Dr. Caroline Nankinga, assistant commissioner for Phytosanitary and Quarantine Inspection Services at MAAIF, announced that the tool will digitise the inspection and certification process for fruits and vegetables, moving Uganda away from a traditional paper-based system.

This modernisation is expected to reduce documentation errors, improve data storage, and enhance traceability for exported goods.

"Historically, our inspection and certification system has been manually managed, which often led to errors and inefficiencies," Dr. Nankinga explained.

"This digital system reengineers the entire process, providing reliable data for both regulators and exporters, and enhancing compliance,"she added.

With the new tool, each batch of produce will be traceable back to its origin, enabling authorities to identify the source of any issues, such as harmful organisms or pesticide residues.

This is expected to significantly benefit farmers, who will be “coded and traced,” ensuring accurate tracking and documentation for exports.

Farmers and exporters are anticipated to gain better access to international markets through improved compliance and traceability.

Dr. Nankinga emphasised that the new system positions Uganda to meet high SPS standards, boosting the country's reputation in the global produce industry.

Fred Zake, Executive Director of Hortifresh Association Uganda Limited,the apex body for fresh fruits and vegetables in Uganda, highlighted the significance of this innovation.

“Globally, digital solutions reduce the time and costs associated with regulatory compliance,” Zake said.

“This platform enables inspectors to maintain the high standards crucial for Uganda’s access to high-value export markets,"he added.

The platform was developed with support from Swiss Contact and the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation.

This collaboration aims to bolster Uganda’s fresh produce exports, which Zake believes could grow into a billion-dollar industry with the right support.

However, challenges remain, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and smallholder farmers, who struggle to meet the rigorous standards required by high-end markets.

“For these farmers, compliance with SPS standards is costly and challenging due to high accreditation fees and limited access to cold storage, leading to post-harvest losses,” Zake explained.

He encouraged farmers to organize into cooperatives to reduce costs and access shared infrastructure, like cold storage and inspection services, critical for maintaining the quality and traceability needed for export markets.

Zake also urged the government and development partners to continue supporting the sector by providing seed funding for essential infrastructure and training.

“By working together as a nation to build a strong Ugandan brand, we can compete effectively on the global stage,” he said.