Zambia is among the countries in the Sub-Saharan region which have been invited to participate in the 'Fancy Food Show' in the United States under the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).

AGOA desk manager for Zambia, Moses Simemba confirmed in an interview yesterday that selected companies in the Sub-Saharan region including companies in Zambia would participate in the show in Chicago in May.

Mr Simemba said the desk had identified two companies in Zambia that would attend the show.

"The two companies will be informed on their participation as soon as all logistics and preparations have been finalised," he said.

He said the aim of sending the companies was to enable them to meet potential buyers of paprika and make direct contact with the buyers and in turn clinch deals for their crops.

On the Pest Risk Assessments (PRA) programme for crops to be exported to America under AGOA, Mr Simemba said the two crops, baby corn and carrots under mitigation were this year expected move to the final stage.

He said the two crops qualified to the mitigation stage last time after inspectors from American Plant and Health Inspections visited Zambia for assessment.

"Baby corn and baby carrots are this year expected to move to the final and ruling stage," he said.

Mr Simemba was optimistic that the programme would be concluded for the two crops this season.

This would bring the total number of crops that qualify to be exported under AGOA by Zambia to three after the snow peas, which had already been allowed to enter that market.

Latest AGOA Trade Data currently available on AGOA.info


Click here to view a sector profile of Zambia’s bilateral trade with the United States, disaggregated by total exports and imports, AGOA exports and GSP exports.

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