Value-adding standards in the North American food market. Trade opportunities in certified products for developing countries. FAO Commodities and Trade Technical Paper No. 11
This publication analyses the use of voluntary standards and certification schemes in the food markets of the United States and Canada. With its large population and its high individual purchasing power, North America provides considerable opportunities for exports of value added agricultural products. Consumers are increasingly attentive to the social, economic, and environmental aspects of food production as evidenced by the significant expansion of certified food sales in both natural food stores and mainstream supermarket chains. North America ranks just behind Europe, the world leading region in terms of certified food sales.
The report assesses the market opportunities for developing country producers and exporters who are interested in exporting certified foods to North America. It focuses on a few environmental and social certification schemes that use a registered on product label targeting consumers. Special emphasis is put on organic and fair trade certified agricultural products due to their potential for value adding, their level of recognition by consumers and their strong and sustained growth. The main product categories addressed are tropical fruits, coffee and cocoa due to their economic significance to many developing countries and their high market potential in North America.
