Latest News

Strengthening Uganda’s cocoa sector

Market analyses show that there is tremendous potential for Uganda’s cocoa to penetrate two key markets, the ‘fine flavour cocoa beans’ which is trending in Europe, and the certified cocoa market in Asia. In a drive to enable cocoa producers and exporter from Uganda to take up these great opportunities,...

A Virtual Study Tour on Advocacy

As part of the advocacy work conducted in the EAC’s coffee sector, the EU-EAC MARKUP through the International Trade Centre (ITC) had planned a one-week study tour of Brussels for coffee business membership organisations (BMOs) and national advocacy consultants in 2020. During the trip, the association...

Moving Towards a Common EAC Position on Matters in the Agenda of Upcoming Codex Committees

One of the objectives of MARKUP is to improve the harmonisation of standards for the priority value chains. Under the leadership of GIZ, one of the avenues to achieve this objective is through effective participation in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its subsidiary bodies. Codex...

How an Agro-Producer Strikes International Business Deals

If you ask June Gathoni today how her business is going, she will beam with confidence. But not long ago, she would have reacted differently. One of her company’s consignments to Korea was returned and the prospects for her company, Urban Fresh Ventures, did not appear very promising. However, June...

MARKUP Organises Regional Investment Event

Stakeholders from across the East African Community (EAC) region and Europe gathered in the first week of March to participate in the MARKUP EAC Invest event. Participants praised the substantial dialogue during the fully virtual event and expressed optimism for the future of investment in the region...

Guide to Using Images on Social Media for Coffee SMEs

Nowadays more than ever, learning how to take quality photographs and videos for social media and other branding communications is a valuable business skill. MARKUP via the International Trade Centre is happy to present the ‘Guide to Photographs and Videos on Social Media for Coffee SMEs in East...

Ugandan Cocoa Exporters Join the First Online Edition of the Chocoa Trade Fair Amsterdam

This year, the renowned Chocoa Trade Fair Amsterdam went fully virtual. MARKUP, through the International Trade Centre, supported the participation of more than 10 Ugandan cocoa exporters and institutions to the virtual trade fair. Through the event, exporters were able to access new markets and attract...

Private voluntary standards and certifications: the importance of a comprehensive Internal Management System

Certifications are becoming a pre-requisite to access European markets. In order to be eligible for most certification schemes, companies will need to have a specific Internal Management System (IMS), which sets a standard quality of operations and working procedures. As companies often aim at acquiring...

Impact Assessment of COVID-19 on the East African Coffee Sector Updated

Since April 2020, International Trade Centre through MARKUP has been closely monitoring the impact of the pandemic on the East African Community’s coffee sector. ITC conducted an impact assessment through a business survey to help understand the consequences of the global pandemic on the coffee...

EU-EAC MARKUP Policy Brief No. 4: EAC Harmonised Criteria for Registration and Certification of Pre-Packaged Foods

MARKUP, through GIZ, has developed a Policy Brief to outline the key harmonised requirements, processes and procedures as set in the EAC harmonised criteria for registration and certification of pre-packaged foods. It also outlines the roadmap towards adoption and effective implementation of the...

2 Years of MARKUP – Achievements and Impact

MARKUP is happy to present our newest update: ‘2 Years of MARKUP – Achievements and Impact’ It’s been an exciting two years of events, trainings, publications and networking opportunities, all leading to some excellent successes across the region and the programme as a whole. MARKUP has worked closely...

MARKUP Conducts Training for Development and Harmonisation of Standards in Burundi

Why do we trust that the coffee, tea, cocoa or food items we buy at supermarkets will be fit for human consumption, that it is free from contaminants or pesticide residues and other hazardous substances? What makes us sure that we can eat what we buy? It’s because we know that these products are subject...

Round Two of Access to Finance Starts to Bear Fruit

After running national bootcamps focusing on addressing the key challenges to access finance, around 100 companies across the region were selected for individual coaching. Business Development Service providers conducted webinar series as part of the coaching exercise to support SMEs fix business...