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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
Fruit and Vegetables
for the Fresh Market
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
German Federal Agency
for Agriculture and Food
Section
Marketing Standards and Inspection
Ulrike Bickelmann
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
Why marketing standards for fruit and vegetables?
 f & v grow naturally
 quality is influenced by cultivation, harvest,
storage, handling and transport conditions
 trading volume & price influenced by quality

producers & traders grade their produce
to best serve the market
 standards serve as a trading language
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
Positive effects of standards
 technical definition of quality parameters
 labelling as a reference (address, country of origin, quality class )
 reliability & credibility & profitability increased

contract without personal inspection by the buyer
 transparency in the market
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
Multiplication of positive effects
company (producer, trader)
region (producer association)
country (national standard)
two countries or more (international standard)
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
Negative effects of national standards
 valid for one country only
 exporters have to meet the national standards of the
different importing countries

importing countries should accept multiple
export standards
 trade is complicated and paved with conflicting regulations
 barriers to trade established in national law
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
Negative effects of national standards
National standards for potatoes
Class I
Germany
Germany (disc)
Austria
Class II
Out of grade
31 %
8%
51 %
6%
32 %
62 %
72 %
11 %
17 %
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
Positive effects of international standards
 developed and agreed by exporting and importing countries
 technical barriers to trade avoided

market transparency increased
 competition based on uniform minimum standards
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
UN/ECE
United Nations - Economic Commission for Europe
Committee on Trade
Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards
Fresh Fruit
and Vegetables
Dry and
Dried Fruit
Seed
Potatoes
Meat
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
Why UNECE Standards?
 to define a common trading language
 to fill the gap between food safety regulations and marketing

to define commercial quality for foodstuffs
 to encourage high quality production
 to protect consumer’s interests
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
Process of elaborating a standard
Specialized Section and
Working Party agree to
create/amend a standard
Rapporteur
prepares/amends text
Specialized
Section discusses
text in detail
Working Party
discusses text in general
UN/ECE Standard
UN/ECE
Recommendation
for a 2+1 year trial period
http://www.unece.org/trade/agr/welcome.htm
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
UNECE Standards enshrined in EU legislation
 Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96
on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables
 classification using common obligatory standards provides a reference
framework that
 encourages fair trading and market transparency
 eliminates products of unsatisfactory quality from the market
 helps to improve the profitability of production

standards take into account UNECE standards
 standardisation can only be fully effective when applied, subject to exemption,
at all marketing stages and on departure from the production region
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
European Union Marketing Standards
Apples
Avocados
Cherries
Citrus fruit (oranges, lemons, mandarins)
Hazelnuts in shell
Kiwifruit
Melons
Peaches and Nectarines
Pears
Plums
Strawberries
Table grapes
Watermelons
Walnuts in shell
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
European Union Marketing Standards
Artichokes
Asparagus
Aubergines
Beans
Brussels Sprouts
Carrots
Cauliflower
Courgettes
Cucumbers
Cultivated Mushrooms
Garlic
Headed Cabbages
Leeks
Lettuces and Endives
Onions
Ribbed Celery
Peas
Spinach
Sweet Peppers
Tomatoes
Witloof Chicory
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
European Union Marketing Standards
I.
Definition of produce
II.
Provisions concerning quality
- Minimum requirements
- Maturity requirements
- Classification
III.
Provisions concerning sizing
IV.
Provisions concerning tolerances
V.
Provisions concerning presentation
VI.
Provisions concerning marking
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
European Union Marketing Standards
Class Extra
Class I
Class II
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
European Union Marketing Standards
packer/dispatcher
name of produce - variety/commercial type
country of origin
quality class
size
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
European marketing standards
 obligatory in all member states
 obligatory at all marketing stages (including import and export)
 conformity checks
 in accordance with Regulation (EC) no. 1148/2001
 at all levels of distribution
 based on risk analysis and sampling
 resentment based on national law of the member states
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
Import Inspection in Germany - 2005
35,062 lots = 129,376 tons
of which 3 % rejections
because of
labelling
deterioration
physiological defects
skin defects
cleanliness
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International Standards in the
Multilateral Trading System
Thank you for attention!
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