THE United States unveiled a new initiative aimed at bolstering imports of African specialty foods, recognising the untapped potential in items such as seafood, nuts, and herbs that benefit small-scale farmers across the continent.
The initiative, named the Africa Trade Desk, was introduced by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) at a trade event in Atlanta on March 27, with a particular focus on South Africa. The project aims to increase imports of African specialty foods into the US by $300 million over the next 18 months, constituting a 10 percent rise in the continent’s agricultural exports to the world’s largest economy.
‘We see untapped potential across the continent of Africa,’ remarked USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman. ‘We want to see more countries leveraging this opportunity to enter the American market.’
Coleman highlighted the demand from US buyers for a larger scale of supply from Africa, underscoring the need for increased collaboration between the two regions.
With a dedicated staff of 27 and an upcoming online platform, the Africa Trade Desk aims to overcome logistical challenges, including insurance and product tracking technology. The initiative seeks to facilitate connections between African farmers and food exporters with approximately 20,000 retail stores in the US.
The focus of the Africa Trade Desk will be on specialty foods such as seafood, fruits, herbs, nuts, spices, and juices, with a specific emphasis on catering to the demand from the African diaspora in the US.
The launch of this initiative precedes the scheduled expiration next year of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), a signature US trade initiative for the continent enacted in 2000. Agoa provides duty-free access for various products from eligible countries, contingent on standards related to human rights and democracy. Congress is currently deliberating the renewal of Agoa, with support from President Joe Biden.
Coleman emphasised that the Africa Trade Desk would complement Agoa by expanding the range of products imported into the US. ‘We believe trade policies should not just benefit those at the top, but should foster inclusive and sustainable development,’ she stated, highlighting the importance of inclusive growth for workers and communities.