Value chains and trade

By helping farmers improve the quality and safety of what they grow, process and sell, CABI helps create sustainable value chains and breaks down barriers to trade

The challenge

With global population growing fast, and food demand expected to double by 2050, creating sustainable food value chains and breaking down the barriers to trade has never been more important.

While small-scale farmers in developing countries produce most of the world’s food, they often face hurdles accessing information and technologies to supply lucrative local, national and global markets. Young people in particular can benefit from new opportunities in agricultural trade.

Providing solutions

By combining our expertise in value chains and trade with our knowledge of crop health, development communication, digital development, invasive species, and publishing, we have helped private and public sector partners improve market access.

We have successfully increased value chain efficiency and helped people working in the food supply chain improve their safety compliance for the benefit of consumers by sharing information, skills and technologies. We help farmers meet Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards, so that they can protect their produce from contaminants such as diseases and pests and export to markets.

Our knowledge of crop production and processes has helped smallholders produce better harvests and yields, and our expertise in invasive species and pest management has helped strengthen countries’ plant biosecurity.

By working with our donors and partners, we help poor and vulnerable rural communities produce food safely and sustainably, connecting them into value chains and boosting their livelihoods.

Our value chain and trade expertise in more detail

Horticulture is an important source of income for many farmers. We help smallholders access value chains by building their knowledge of integrated crop management.

Palm trees produce a variety of commercial products including coconut oil and dates. We help farmers address the specific issues associated with growing palm trees and access export markets.

Tree crops, such as cocoa, produce a variety of commercial products. We help farmers address the specific issues associated with growing tree crops and access export markets.

Working with partners, CABI improved Ghana’s food safety systems, enabling vegetable exports worth US$15 million a year to resume following an EU-wide ban

Find out more

Lead contact

For more information and enquiries about our expertise in value chains and trade, please get in touch.

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Related Projects

Explore our recent projects from around the world

A farmer in Vietnam protecting his young pomelo fruit

Harmonizing quarantine pest lists for a ASEAN Pest Database

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states face challenges in managing quarantine pest-related information due to fragmented data systems, inconsistent assessment methods, and limited coordination among National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs). These gaps hinder timely responses to emerging pest threats and complicate regional efforts in evidence-based pest management. The Task Force on ASEAN Pest Database (TF-APD), has been established to create a regional platform for quarantine pest information, with CABI serving as the Technical Secretariat.

Identifying the pest responsible for damage to a leafy crop, Cambodia

Strengthening taxonomy and plant health diagnostics across ASEAN

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, yet this biodiversity is increasingly threatened by invasive pests, diseases and environmental pressures. Limited capacity in classification (taxonomy) and diagnostics of pests and diseases have further consequences on biodiversity conservation, compliance with international agreements and access to regional and global trade. For member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ASEAN Network on Taxonomy (ASEANET) has been created to support ASEAN countries. The network aims to close gaps in taxonomy, diagnostics and phytosanitary systems. These efforts will help to strengthen plant health systems, improve pest identification and support safe agricultural trade across ASEAN. Through ASEANET, CABI’s role as Technical Secretariat will support ASEAN member states by coordinating the network, facilitating collaboration and supporting training and knowledge sharing.

Identifying and managing false codling moth in roses in Ethiopia

The horticultural sector is key to Ethiopia’s economy, contributing to foreign exchange revenue and employment. But the rose-cut flower is of significance due to its increasing demand, market growth, and Ethiopia’s ability to dominate production thanks to its favourable conditions. However, the false codling moth, a major pest, is threatening the quality and marketability of rose-cut flowers, jeopardising the growing horticulture industry and Ethiopia’s export markets. And due to its persistent presence, quarantine restrictions are resulting in high costs and lower profits. To address this problem, CABI is seeking to strengthen the capacity of Ethiopian horticulture authorities, associations and member farms to help improve compliance.

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